Australian fire-fighters have brought in reinforcements to tackle bushfires in and around Sydney.
In the Blue Mountains to the west strong winds are fanning the flames.
Residents could only watch as emergency crews fought to bring the flames under control before they reached homes.
SOUNDBITE: Unidentified resident saying (English):
"Just below the scrub down there, below the playground, about 50 metres."
Some holidaymakers are leaving early because of fears for their safety.
SOUNDBITE: Unidentified holidaymaker from Brisbane saying (English):
"It's flaring up all the time so it's not really safe, and there's a lot of smoke."
Police are investigating the cause of the fires. Fire service officials have been angered by the possibility some may have been started deliberately.
SOUNDBITE: Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons saying (English):
"It's disgraceful, it's sickening and, as I say, we don't have any place for these sorts of people."
With fears rising that the winds could get stronger still the firefighters are facing the prospect of a long night ahead.
Paul Chapman, Reuters