The fire has burnt more than 100 hectares of bushland. The fire is burning east of the Pacific Highway, west of Malcoms Road and north of Khappinghat Nature Reserve.

Firefighters have spent the night backburning where conditions have allowed in an effort to contain the fire. Crews will focus on strengthening containment lines around the fire on Friday, with warm and windy conditions expected to return on Saturday.

While the immediate threat has eased, people in the area around Old Bar Road should continue to monitor conditions and be prepared in the event fire reaches their property.

Old Bar Road and the Pacific Hwy have been reopened however there is still a lot of smoke in the area.

9.40pm THURSDAY:

Old Bar Road has reopened after being closed earlier because of a bushfire.

However the Pacific Highway is closed southbound in South Taree, on the Mid North Coast, due to a bushfire.

Southbound motorists are being diverted onto the Old Pacific Highway at Cundletown, to travel through Taree, then Manning River Drive to rejoin the Pacific Highway in South Taree.

Northbound lanes of the Pacific Highway are still open, however there is a reduced speed limit of 80km/h.

Emergency services are at the scene working to contain the blaze.

Motorists should allow extra travel time, follow the directions of emergency services personnel on site and exercise extreme caution.

For the latest traffic information, visit www.livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

8.50pm THURSDAY:

Old Bar Rd remains closed, however Half Chain Rd has been opened to allow residents access to Old Bar and Mitchells Island.

Backburning operations may be carried out throughout the night where conditions allow.

8.20pm THURSDAY:

The fire has burnt more than 100 hectares of bushland from the west of the Pacific Highway, and along Old Bar Road to the east.

Firefighters from the NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire & Rescue NSW and National Parks have been working to protect homes in the area around Old Bar Road. There are no reports of any properties being destroyed.

However, residents at Pampoolah are watching closely as the fire creeps closer.

8pm THURSDAY:

The threat is far from over for residents in the Old Bar area with fresh reports coming through of homes in and around Pampoolah under threat.

Properties at Gracelands Place and Malcolms Road specifically have fire crews at the ready, with up to six tankers working hard. Fire crews have told residents they have a 60 per cent chance of saving these homes.

Flames are shooting through trees at the fence line right now.

7pm THURSDAY:

Conditions have eased south of Taree but the fire still burns out of control.

The fire continues to burn in high fire danger conditions and is currently less than two hours from properties.

Under these conditions, fires can be difficult to control. Embers may be blown ahead of the fire, creating spot fires. 

These spot fires may threaten your home earlier than the predicted main fire front, authorities said.

The RFS is also monitoring two fires to the west of Wingham - one at Pendle Hill, near Elands, and the other at Murrays Creek - both part of the Tapin Tops National Park.

6.15pm THURSDAY:

The Pacific Highway has reopened in both directions four kilometres south of the Old Bar turn-off in South Taree.

A reduced speed limit is in place and motorists should continue to exercise extreme caution, allow extra travel time and follow signs in the area.

5.15pm THURSDAY

The fire is burning in the area around Old Bar Road. The fire has crossed Old Bar Road towards Malcolm Road at Pampoolah. The fire has burnt over 100 hectares.

Reception centres have been established for people unable to get home or who have left their homes at Club Taree and Club Old Bar.

More than 100 firefighters, including a number of crews trucked from nearby Mid-North Coast towns, and three aircraft are fighting the Taree fire which already has burnt about 86 hectares.

5pm THURSDAY:

Reception centres have been established for people unable to get home or who have left their homes at Club Taree and Club Old Bar.

More than 100 firefighters, including a number of crews trucked from nearby Mid-North Coast towns, and three aircraft are fighting the Taree fire which already has burnt about 86 hectares

The fire has crossed the Pacific Highway and burnt in an easterly direction under the influence of strong and gusty winds.

The fire has now crossed Old Bar Road towards Malcolm Road at Pampoolah. Crews and aircraft are working in this area to contain the fire and protect properties. Follow the advice of firefighters on the scene.

3.56pm THURSDAY: 

Pampoolah is being evacuated and Club Old Bar is the evacuation point.

Also caution on Wingham Road between Taree and Wingham as trucks and heavy traffic are diverting around the blocked highway.

3pm THURSDAY

Half Chain Road also closed.

2.57pm THURSDAY:

Old Bar Road has been closed.

An emergency warning is in place after a bushfire south of Taree jumped the Pacific Highway. This emergency status is the highest level of bushfire alert. MNC NSW Emergency Services advises: "You may be in danger and need to take action immediately. Any delay now puts your life at risk."

People in the Crowsnest Road area are advised to seek shelter as the fire impacts. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.

An additional emergency warning also has been issued for Shallow Bay, Great Lakes.

The highway south of Taree is closed in both directions and motorists are advised to avoid the area as diversion are not available.

Emergency services are working to contain the blaze as quickly as possible.

It has been reported that the Taree service centre has been evacuated due to the bushfire but that has yet to be confirmed.

The Rural Fire Service has elevated the fire status to "watch and act" however there is no immediate threat to property.

People in the area around Old Bar Road should, however, be alert to smoke and embers.

Due to the volatile conditions, a total fire ban is in place.