Bushfires: UPDATE

NSW residents urged to flee as bushfires rage

Radio NZ,

23 October,

Three of the fires burning in New South Wales have been upgraded to the highest alert level, with warnings the extreme weather conditions are worsening.

Forecasters have warned that Wednesday could be the worst day since the crisis began in the Australian state more than a week ago. Temperatures were forecast to reach the high 30s, humidity was expected to be at 10% and wind gusts of up to 100km/h are predicted.

Fire crews protect a property in the Blue Mountains.

Two warnings are for the Lake Macquarie area near Newcastle, at Minmi and Gateshead, and the Pacific Motorway has been closed in both directions on Wednesday, the ABC reports.

An emergency warning has also been reinstated at Springwood in the Blue Mountains, with a number of crews being relocated to try to bring the blaze under control.

Flames are running just metres from homes at Springwood near Faulconbridge as water bombers work to attack the fires from above. Large plumes of smoke billowed across the township as crews battle volatile conditions with strong, gusty winds blowing embers far and wide. Residents have been warned of immediate danger and have been told to seek shelter.

There are also three watch-and-act alerts in place for the State Mine fire near Lithgow, the Mount Victoria fire, and the Hall Road fire near Wollondilly.

In the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, small fires are flaring and growing numbers of people are leaving the fire zone and registering at evacuation centres. All schools in the area have been closed to keep families together and people have been told not to enter the area unless it's essential.

Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons warned that conditions would be "as bad as it gets".

People living in the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands woke up to a cool and damp morning after overnight storms. However, Mr Fitzsimmons says the little bit of rain didn't do much to ease the fire threat.

He said it is a difficult, dynamic situation and more homes and lives may be lost. "We are expecting extreme fire danger ratings across a very large geographic area."

Crews worked through the night backburning to get a handle on several large blazes. Hundreds of firefighting reinforcements have been sent to New South Wales from other states and more than 1000 firefighters and 200 fire engines will be operating in the Blue Mountains. Helicopters are also in heavy demand, although if the wind gets too fierce they will be grounded.

State and federal aid

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said Lithgow Workers Club and Penrith Worker's Club were open for people who have nowhere else to go and state government assistance was available there.

Mr O'Farrell said the state would get through the day because of the "extraordinary efforts" of fire authorities in planning and firefighting.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has announced further assistance for those affected.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan says a disaster recovery allowance is now available for residents whose income has been directly hit by the disaster. More than 300 homes have been lost since 17 October.