By Laura Chung and Nick Moir
Residents in and around Bilpin had lived under a cloud of smoke and a red sun for four days, waiting for the backburn that got away to hit them.
On Thursday afternoon, that moment hit the town, which is 75 kilometres north-west of Sydney.
In Berambing, 10 kilometres west of Bilpin, a small silver car rushed down a dirt driveway, carrying a man and his dog.
They made it out moments before a spot fire appeared and ripped through the area.
Flames filled the tree canopy and fire whirls appeared when the main front of the Gospers Mountain backburn caught up with the spot fire.
Thick black smoke, intense heat and flames tore through the area, crossing the road while firefighters struggled to get the blaze under control. The fire was moving in a southerly direction.
Bilpin Fruit Bowl owner Margaret Tadrosse said the community had been “waiting, waiting and waiting” for the fire.
Ms Tadrosse said the threat of the fire had meant people kept away from the area.
For many farmers and shop owners, the summer tourist rush is a key source of income.
Ms Tadrosse said if she is unable to open her "pick your own fruit" farm this weekend, she is likely to lose tens of thousands of dollars and all the produce.
NSW Fire and Rescue attempt to hold the Gospers Mountain Fire from crossing the Bells Line of Road. It roared over the road, destroying power lines.Credit: Nick Moir
It also means she’ll have to wait until January, when apples come into season, to be able to turn a reliable profit.
“If the fire is going to come, then come, if it’s going to go, then go,” she said. “[The fire] has to do what it’s got to do so we can get back to living.”
But she said the Bilpin community had come together, with residents checking on each others’ welfare and offering assistance to each other.
“When you live in the country, that’s just what you do,'' she said.
People are determined to stay and protect their homes, including Kurrajong Heights resident Andrew Xiberras, who has lived in the area for six years.
On Thursday morning, he said he would protect his home, where two of his three children were born.
“I’m feeling pretty good but it’s a bit nerve-wracking. I’m trying to keep calm.”
Mr Xiberras has 3000 litres of water in a tank at the front of his property and a water pump.