Oh gosh Vic, fire can move very fast, I've had to run more this once from fires in Australia, they can leap 500m in the blink of an eye. Mind you, a lot of Australian bush is eucalyptus and the oils in the leaves are flammable so you often get fire dancing across the tree tops.
I remember when Sydney was completely encircled in flames. You woke smelling smoke and wondered if you should run. The smoke was so bad it was giving NZ amazing sunsets and sunrises.
The worst fires there were when they stopped back burning, I think it is a practise they have since resumed.
Have your car packed ready to run. Clean down your gutters so sparks have no leaf litter to ignite in.
May the wind continue to keep it away.