The Rural Fire Service (RFS) has issued an emergency warning for Abermain and South Weston.
The fires are burning in an easterly direction in the areas of Cessnock Road, Charles Street and Hebburn Road at Abermain.
The RFS has advised anyone in the areas of Cessnock Road, Charles Street, York Street, Ridley Street, William Street and Hebburn Road in Abermain is at risk.
People in these areas are urged to leave now in a northerly direction if the path is clear to Kurri Kurri.
About 200 firefighters are on the ground working to get the blazes under control, with the assistance of water-bombing aircraft.
RFS spokesman Ben Shepard said crews were working in difficult conditions.
“We are seeing very high temperatures and low humidity, but it’s the strong winds that are really driving this fire through the bushland,” he said.
Risk of spot fires
He said a weather change was forecast later tonight.
“But we’ve got a number of hours yet before that starts to reach these fire grounds,” he said.
“So I think over the next few hours, this fire will continue to be pushed along under those strong north-westerly winds.
The fire has burnt south of Kurri Kurri Hospital, with no impact on the facility, but staff are on alert.
The RFS has warned embers will be blown long distances ahead of the main fire front, starting spot fires.
It said these may impact homes sooner than the main fire front.
An evacuation centre has been set up at the Cessnock Leagues Club.abcnews