Residents near Port Macquarie in NSW remain on high alert this morning as a bushfire continues to burn close to homes.

Firefighters worked overnight to subdue the blaze near the village of Lake Cathie on the state’s Mid North Coast, but were hindered by gusty winds which fanned the flames as homes came under threat.

The fire has burnt through 1700 hectares of land and came right up to gardens in some homes, forcing residents to flee their homes with any possessions they could carry.