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'Downright apocalyptic': The chilling last post of man found dead among bushfires

A man who died alone as bushfires raged towards his NSW home posted a chilling last post on Facebook detailing terrifying scenes around him.

Barry Parsons, 58, has been identified as the fourth person confirmed dead in NSW bushfires.

His body was found in bushland northwest of Kempsey on the Mid North Coast just before midnight on Wednesday.

Posting on Facebook just five days before his body was found, Parsons said it “seriously looks and sounds like apocalypse out there”.

“F****d up being on your own in these times,” he said.

Barry Parsons is pictured in a selfie taken in a paddock.
Barry Parsons was confirmed as the fourth person to die in the NSW bushfires. Source: Facebook

The 58-year-old also posted on Facebook on November 8 that it was “hot and windy” and there was “smoke everywhere”.

“Downright apocalyptic. No bird sounds. Just got winds and mandarin skies,” he said.

Parsons also commented on the post he would have no clue which way to turn if “s**t hit the fan”.

“I swear it’s spooky as f***,” he said.

Friends commented on his post urging him to stay safe, evacuate and keep them posted, but they became worried when he fell silent.

Since news emerged of his death, friends have left tributes on his Facebook page.

Pictured is a screenshot of Barry Parsons' last Facebook post.
Barry Parsons' final post on Facebook before his death. Source: Facebook

“I can’t believe you are gone, this is so sad we were only chatting a couple of weeks ago,” one wrote.

“Barry ‘Baz’ Parsons has died in the massive brush fires. This man had a kind heart and tried his best to change the world and help people become more aware, he helped me, and was a good friend,” another said.

Mr Pasons’ death follows that of Julie Fletcher, 63, who died in the town of Johns River, and Wytaliba locals Vivian Chaplain, 69, and the elderly George Nole.

More than 55 fires continued to burn around NSW on Thursday morning, with 24 uncontained and eight currently at 'watch and act' level.

A total fire ban declared for NSW earlier this week has now lapsed.

Queensland braces for worsening fire conditions

Queenslanders forced to flee their homes to escape from bushfires are in limbo as crews continue battle against blazes across the state.

Alerts telling residents to leave their properties remain in place for Black Snake, in the Gympie region, and the coastal town of Woodgate, south of Bundaberg, on Thursday afternoon.

Fire conditions in both areas have deteriorated and aren't expected to improve in the near term, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said.

In Black Snake, fire crews are trying to strengthen containment lines while the large, slow-moving fire is burning in the vicinity of the Des Simpson Memorial.

A wind change means the fire is now tracking in a north-westerly direction.

Crews will be backburning along the south-eastern edge of the blaze, in the vicinity of Thornside Road and Upper Thornside Road.

"The fire could have a significant impact on the community," the QFES said, warning power, water and mobile phone services could be cut off.

The Woodgate blaze is burning near Woodgate Road and Woppis Road, travelling towards Walkers Point Road.

Pictured is smoke from an out-of-control bushfire behind a home near Clumber, Queensland. Source: AAP
Smoke from an out-of-control bushfire is seen near Clumber, Queensland. Source: AAP

Thirty people were sheltering at an evacuation centre at the Isis Cultural Centre in Childers when the day began.

Residents who are evacuating themselves from that fire via Woodgate Road will not be able to return until it is safe.

People in nearby Kinkuna have been told to leave as a fast-moving bushfire closes in, moving in a westerly direction towards Kinkuna Waters Estate.

They have been told to get out along Woodgate Road towards Goodwood.

More than 70 fires are now burning across the state since the current crisis erupted a week ago.

While authorities keep a close eye on the bigger fires, exhausted crews and those who have flown in from other states and New Zealand will make the most of a break in the weather.

That relief won't last long though, with forecasters expecting westerly winds to dominate conditions on Friday as the fire threat intensifies.

The weather bureau warns the westerlies will push extremely dry air back towards the coastal fringe.

"We would expect to see the maximum temperature quickly return to four-to-eight degrees above the November average on Friday and into the weekend," a spokeswoman said.

"When we combine that with the dry air, we expect to see elevated fire dangers once again as we head toward the weekend."

A large fire is still burning in difficult terrain near the five-star Spicers Peak Lodge on the Southern Downs, but it is not directly impacting properties.

There are a number of fires between Brisbane and the NSW border, including in the Scenic Rim west of the Gold Coast, and a blaze in Cobraball near Yeppoon in central Queensland, where 14 homes have been destroyed.

With AAP

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