Bulahdelah, about 235km north of Sydney, is reeling after a fierce bushfire destroyed four homes and blackened thousands of hectares of forest. A veteran firefighter died on Sunday evening when a falling tree struck him, marking a grim start to the bushfire season. Two houses on Emu Creek Road burned down, along with homes on the Pacific Highway and south of town. Since Friday, the fire has burnt around 4,000 hectares of the Myall Lakes national park. Thick smoke covered the highway as water-bombing helicopters flew overhead, aiding firefighters on the ground. The fire remains at a watch and act level. Bulahdelah's showground serves as a refuelling hub for about 300 firefighters and volunteers gathered from across New South Wales. Frontline workers say they need a fresh bottle of water every 20 minutes due to the exhausting fight. Locals like Garry Morgan, who has lived in the area for 30 years, fought to save their homes. Morgan's property survived after firefighters sprayed his house, shed, and fences. "No words can express it," he said. "The dogs didn’t leave my side, it was frightening." Jeff Curley, caring for a friend's property, echoed the tough conditions. "It came from everywhere, and the firies pretty much saved it," he said. Curley has past experience with wildfires and warned others to act fast. Kirsty Channon from NSW Rural Fire Service praised the collective efforts to protect homes but stressed the danger remains. "We’re definitely not out of the woods yet," she said. Authorities warned residents near Nerong to evacuate if unprepared. More fires sparked by earlier lightning strikes make the outlook challenging, especially with forecasted mid-30s temperatures and swirling winds. The community mourns the loss of a firefighter and braces for the ongoing battle against nature’s fierce flames.