An RFS spokesman has confirmed a group of men have been able to leave a site near Nabiac which was surrounded by bush fire.

3pm: There seems to be no escape from the smoke which is enveloping the area in Aerodrome Road. While the men have moved to the safety of an on-site shed, that too has filled with smoke.

Mr James said the wind was hampering the fire fighters’ efforts.

However, the helicopters continue to provide valuable assistance.

The men have now been unable to leave the site for close to two and a half hours.

2pm: A second helicopter arrived to assist firefighters on the ground.

About 20 people have been unable to leave a site near Nabiac bush fire which has flared up in Aerodrome Road.

The men were attending an articulated dump truck course at Nabiac when they became trapped by the bush fire which earlier today was under control.

The men have been advised by the Rural Fire Service to moved to the centre of the field and remained in their vehicles to avoid smoke inhalation 

Speaking to the Great Lakes Advocate, as her husband Tim was posting photographs of the event, Renae James expressed her concern for the men’s safety.

The RFS updated the 123ha bush fire burning to out-of-control earlier this afternoon.

“The fire brigade was fighting to get the fire under control and had moved the trapped men into the middle of the field,” Renae said.

“My husband has sent me photos from where he stands while they wait on the fire brigade to return to get them out of there,” she said.

“My husband has just said that it has worsened.”

Worringly for both the men and the RFS there is just one entry to and from the area, which is now surrounded by fire.

At 1.45 a helicopter arrived to assist the five RFS trucks.

Rural Fire Service (RFS) firefighters expect to have a bush fire at Nabiac under control later this afternoon (Friday, September 8).

Fourteen tankers, 56 firefighters and a bulldozer were called to the site on Aerodrome Rd.

RFS teams from all around attended the scene, including tankers from Old Bar, Diamond Beach, Wooton, Nabiac, Taree, Minimbah, Krambach, Forster and Tuncurry.

Trained RFS personnel are looking into the cause of the fire.

The fire has affected numerous private properties, but fire fighters are working to prevent further damage.