Firefighter, 59, killed by falling tree while fighting bushfire north of Newcastle in NSW

A 59-year-old national parks firefighter has died after he was hit by a tree while fighting a bushfire north of Newcastle in NSW, as stories of heroism emerged from another fire-hit area.

The "absolutely devastating" death of the veteran firefighter happened around 11pm yesterday at Little Nugra Road in Nerong.

He had a heart attack after the tree fell, with colleagues desperately trying to save him.

READ MORE: LATEST BUSHFIRE WARNINGS HERE

"The firefighter was a field officer with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and he started working for National Parks in 1996," Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said.

"He was an experienced firefighter and divisional commander.

"Our dedicated National Parks staff show courage and commitment every day when they put on the uniform, they go out to protect all of us.

"And, unfortunately, on this occasion, one person hasn't come home."

The man worked for the Lake Munmorah depot on the NSW Central Coast.

RFS Commissioner Trent Curtain said "our hearts go out to his family, to his friends, and to our colleagues".

READ MORE: Armageddon': Families return to devastation after Koolewong bushfire

He said the loss would be felt "deeply".

He said a backburn was being done as part of the Bulahdelah fire, which started last week on the NSW Mid North Coast and is now 3500 hectares in size.

The firefighter was checking on colleagues when the tree fell.

There are around 1000 NSW National Parks firefighters working alongside the RFS and Fire and Rescue.

Four homes have been lost in that fire.

Premier Chris Minns told Today it was "heartbreaking".

"It's devastating and it's a reminder of what keeps the public safe," he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the firefighter's death was "terrible news" in a statement on social media.

"My heart goes out to the loved ones and colleagues of the firefighter who has tragically lost their life in the Bulahdelah bushfire," he posted on X.

"All Australians are thinking of you in your time of grief. This terrible news is a sombre reminder of the dangers that our emergency services."

Police have set up a crime scene and WorkSafe has been notified.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Heroic stories emerge from NSW Central Coast

Stories of heroism are emerging on the NSW Central Coast where a fire rampaged through a community.

At least 18 homes were damaged or destroyed in another fast-moving bushfire on Saturday in Koolewong, a small waterside suburb near Woy Woy on the NSW Central Coast.

Locals told how fast the ferocious flames came for the waterside houses.

One man helped his 90-year-old neighbour out of her home as the flames closed in.

With the fire coming, Johny Cook went to help.

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"We tried escaping but the flames engulfed the road and there was no way through," he said.

Her home is gone but some are still standing. They were allowed in to grab what they could.

Detectives and forensics are now swaming the area, with three crime scenes set up.

More than 50 fires burn

The NSW Rural Fire Service, in an update today, said 52 fires are continuing to burn.

Around 500 firefighters are out working.

Among fires burning is a large fire north of Redhead, a coastal suburb of Lake Macquarie council, on the western side of Redhead Road and south of Oakdale Road.

The blaze spans 64 hectares, but is in the process of being controlled.

Residents in the areas of Dudley and Whitebridge and Gateshead are being advised to monitor conditions in case the situation changes.

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