George Vassilimis hasn't slept much in the last three weeks.

Key points: Communities around Mangrove Mountain have been on high alert for three weeks

Communities around Mangrove Mountain have been on high alert for three weeks The Mountain Community Children's Centre may have to shelter children in a worst-case scenario

The Mountain Community Children's Centre may have to shelter children in a worst-case scenario Emily Carter's car has been packed for three weeks and she has received hundreds of emergency alerts

"It's been three weeks of hectic, nervous, scared, not knowing what's going to happen, waiting for the winds," he told 7.30.

He lives in Spencer, near Mangrove Mountain, and there are bushfires all around him.

"I haven't slept well because we can hear the trees cracking and snapping and breaking.

"We had koalas last night and that was a bit sad because we could hear them screaming.

"And it's an actual crying scream."

Mr Vassilimis is just one of a whole community of people who are living in a permanent state of anxiety — packed and ready to leave at a moment's notice.

'Their lives in your hands'

Louisa Foxford with a child at Mountain Community Children's Centre ( ABC News: Jerry Rickard )

The fire front is about 15 kilometres from the Mountain Community Children's Centre, near Mangrove Mountain.

Every day since the fires started, manager Louisa Foxford wonders whether the centre will be open or not.

"You come to work thinking, what's happening?" she told 7.30.

"Every day we are monitoring the Fires Near Me app, to be sure it is safe for us to open."

Because of the smoke, the children are not allowed to play outside.

But that is the least of Ms Foxford's worries.

"If things turned bad right now, we'd obviously be calling the families to come and collect the children," she said.

"But, worst-case scenario, we'd actually have to bunker down inside, because the building's actually been modified so it's safe."

That is a huge responsibility.

"You have their lives in your hands and the families are holding you responsible," she said.

"Hopefully, each day I can make the best decision to keep the children safe."

'We fall asleep listening to the RFS radio'

Emily Carter with her daughter Millie and her partner, Tim Ward ( ABC News: Jerry Rickard )

Emily Carter works with Ms Foxford at the child care centre, which her daughter Millie attends.

Her house is in the predicted path of the fire.

She has received hundreds of emergency alerts on her phone in the last few weeks.

At home, she listens to the RFS radio for the latest news.

"We've been falling asleep listening to the firies' radio because you just feel so worried that there's not enough time if you miss a notification," she told 7.30.

"We need to know straight away, otherwise we won't get out."

Ms Carter has had her car packed and ready to go for three weeks.

"I've got a port-a-cot for my daughter and baby baths," she said.

"I've tried to pack all the important documents. I've got birth certificates.

"I've had to leave most of it at home, I just can't fit it in my car."

She is now considering whether she should move permanently.

"If these extreme fires keep happening, then maybe it's not a safe place for me to live with my daughter," she said.

"So the next few days will be critical — is it going to be a safe place if that fire does hit us?"