Description of the event

Almost 100 wildfires raged across New South Wales in Australia today following high temperatures and windy conditions. Early assessments indicate that hundreds of homes may be destroyed and the toll is expected to increase.

It is too early to estimate the full impact of the fires and analysts fear that some loss of life may be inevitable. In Sydney, the smoke from the fires was so extensive that it blocked the sun.

Hundreds of firefighters are struggling to contain the blazes and have contained approximately 80 of the fires so far. They will continue to battle the fires through the night but the most intensely burning areas have been too dangerous for the firefighters to reach.

It is forecast that the fires will continue for the next few days until the weather conditions cool further.

Residents in affected areas are being urged to evacuate in advance of the fires.