Retirement village residents on Sydney’s northern beaches sheltered inside as a nearby hazard reduction burn turned into a large, out-of-control bushfire which threatened homes before it was downgraded.

A fire burning near Oxford Falls in Sydney's north that was considered out of control earlier today has been downgraded from Emergency to Advice.

A fire is burning out of control in Sydney's north, with residents and a nearby aged care warned to prepare to act.

An out-of-control fire is burning near Oxford Falls in Sydney's north. Firefighters are at the scene trying to control the blaze, which is burning east towards Cromer Heights.

Residents are being urgently evacuated from Sydney's Northern Beaches as firefighters battle an out-of-control hazard reduction burn.