Australian fire crews stepped up containment efforts around several major wildfires Sunday with the weather forecast to deteriorate and officials warning of "unparalleled" danger from the worst conditions in 40 years.
More than 200 homes have already been destroyed and another 120 damaged by the wildfires which broke out across New South Wales state in unseasonably warm and dry weather earlier this week, fanned by extremely high winds.
The worst of the fires, in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, plunged the city into an eerie midday darkness as plumes of smoke and ash filled the sky.
One man has died so far trying to protect his property.
Firefighters had a reprieve on Friday and Saturday with an easing in the weather, but containment and property protection efforts were ramped up on Sunday ahead of a forecast deterioration in conditions set to include warmer temperatures and 100kph winds.
More than 200 homes have already been destroyed and another 120 damaged by the wildfires which broke out across New South Wales state in unseasonably warm and dry weather earlier this week, fanned by extremely high winds.
The worst of the fires, in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, plunged the city into an eerie midday darkness as plumes of smoke and ash filled the sky.
One man has died so far trying to protect his property.
Firefighters had a reprieve on Friday and Saturday with an easing in the weather, but containment and property protection efforts were ramped up on Sunday ahead of a forecast deterioration in conditions set to include warmer temperatures and 100kph winds.
