UPDATE 7.00AM, September 7 | A firefighter is in a critical condition in a Brisbane hospital after suffering serious burns while battling flames in northern New South Wales.

The 66-year-old has sustained serious burns to his head, face and upper body.

Emergency services remain on scene of a number of fires in the state’s north, with Tenterfield residents told it’s now too late to leave.

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A fire is raging in the Mount Mackenzie Road area, on the southern outskirts of Tenterfield and is now moving to the north east towards Billirimba Road and the Bruxner Highway.

Flames are also burning in remote terrain south-west of the Drake village, within the Girard State Forest.

That blaze has crossed Long Fully Road, Rocky (Timbarra) River, and is now morning in an east-north-easterly direction towards the Bruxner Highway and Plains Station Road.

Another front is burning in the vicinity of Flagstone Road and Koreelah Creek Road in Legume, the fire is now moving in a north-easterly direction towards Mount Lindsey Road and Oaky Hill.

Residents are being told it is too late to leave, and they should seek shelter.

An Evacuation Centre has been established at the Tenterfield Showgrounds, 62 Miles St, Tenterfield. It will open on Saturday 7 September from 07:00hrs to 23:00hrs.

Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au, listening to your local radio station or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.

EARLIER 8.30PM, September 6 | A firefighter has been airlifted to hospital after suffering critical burns while fighting an out of control bushfire in northern New South Wales.

The firefighter was helping to battle a blaze south of Tenterfield.

He suffered significant burns to his face, hands and airways while fighting the blaze south of town.

The man was airlifted to hospital in Sydney for treatment.

Images from the fire ground show a fire truck completely destroyed.

It’s understood a local land owner also suffered burns while operating a bulldozer during the fire fight.

At least five homes have been destroyed in the Tenterfield blaze.

Emergency warnings remain in place for blazes burning near Mount Mackenzie Rd at Tenterfield, Flagstone Road at Legume and Long Gully Rd at Drake.