Extreme weather hampers NSW firefighters

Extreme weather has hampered firefighting efforts across NSW and more scorching
temperatures are on the way, amid warnings the state is facing "unprecedented
conditions".
About 70 fires were still burning on Saturday night, mostly in remote and
inaccessible terrain in the Blue Mountains, the Hawkesbury region and in the state's
north.
The fires were sparked on Friday after record-breaking heat, lightning and wild
winds which continued on Saturday.
"It has never been this hot, dry or windy in combination ever before," Premier
Nathan Rees told reporters on Saturday.
With temperatures topping 40 degrees and 40 km/h winds forecast for Sunday,
authorities urged people to remain vigilant.
"It is a very tenuous situation with these unprecedented conditions," NSW Rural Fire
Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.
Temperatures in the high 30s and strong, hot winds in some areas made it difficult
for firefighters on Saturday.
Crews used heavy earthmoving equipment to strengthen containment lines, and
water-bombing aircraft targeted the edges of the fires to slow their progress.
Mr Fitzsimmons said fire crews managed to bring a number of fires under control on
Saturday but warned more were likely to spring up.
No properties came under threat until about 5pm (AEDT) on Saturday, when an
emergency warning was issued for residents near the township of Rylstone, about 50km
east of Mudgee in the state's central west.
A blaze started on the northern edge of the Windermere Dam and was burning in
"extreme fire danger conditions" about 8km from Rylstone, the Rural Fire Service
(RFS) said.
More than 100 homes were at risk from the fire, sparked by lightening and burning in
a south-easterly direction towards Rylstone and Kandos.
"The weather has had a major impact on the fire ground, around the Mudgee area we
hit 40 degrees and strong winds were blowing the fire down," RFS spokesman Ben
Shepherd said.
"We are watching in anticipation of (Sunday's) weather ... we are expecting very
dangerous fire conditions."
Total fire bans have been declared for large parts of the state on Sunday, with hot
and windy conditions forecast.
"Tomorrow we are expecting temperatures to rise back to near 40 degrees in Sydney
and across much of the north eastern part of NSW we could see temperatures in the
mid 40s," a Bureau of Meteorology spokesman said.
Wind speeds of up to 40km/h were also likely.
"This will put pressure on those fires that have started because of lightning
strikes in recent days," he added.
Causing concern for firefighters on Saturday were five major uncontained fires,
including two in the Blue Mountains and Wollemi national parks - which along with
the Newnes State Forest remain shut - and one near Lithgow, west of Sydney.
The RFS warned that the townships of Mt Wilson and Mt Irvine could come under threat
from embers from a fire burning about 7km to the north.
Another blaze was underway about 9km north of Hazelbrook.
Crews were battling fires in rugged, inaccessible terrain near Bell, as well as a
number of fires in the Hawkesbury region.
In the state's north, firefighters were tackling two fires near Narrabri - one which
has burnt almost 3800 hectares and the other about 450ha.
Further north, near the Queensland border, firefighters were working to contain two
fires at Silent Grove and Flagstone Creek in the Torrington area.
There were fears isolated rural properties in the Highland Home Creek area may come
under threat late on Saturday, and crews were liaising with residents, the RFS said.