Australia rushes in fire reinforcements

The flames are creeping towards Sydney

Hundreds of firefighters are being rushed to the Australian state of New South Wales, where more than 100 bush fires have been burning for nearly a week.

Hotter and windier weather has been predicted for what weather forecasters describe as a potentially disastrous weekend.

Long convoys of fire-fighting vehicles and their crews are heading for Sydney from other Australian states, although most firefighters are being flown to the city.

The authorities hope to have 15,000 emergency workers in place to stop fires spreading.

I do urge a very high level of calm

Fire official

"With the majority of fire uncontained and very little prospect of containment in the immediate future, we are looking at four very difficult days," said Rural Fire Services Commissioner Phil Koperberg. "I do urge a very high level of calm...".

Mr Koperburg urged people living near forests to stay alert, saying people should cover their hands and heads and stay indoors.

Fire-fighters were racing against time on Friday to create firebreaks before Sunday when temperatures are forecast to hit 39 or 40 degrees Celsius (102-104 degrees Fahrenheit), coupled with strong southerly winds.

Click here for a map of the fires threatening Sydney

Australian officials said they were considering taking up international help - two US-based fire fighting groups have made offers.

Fire-fighter unions are also urging the New South Wales state government to lease a specialised water bombing aircraft from Canada.

Debris covers Sydney's famous beaches

But a spokesman for the NSW emergency services ministry said the Ilyushin-76 fire-fighting plane was unsuitable for Australian eucalyptus forests.

Shocked residents on Friday were trying to salvage what they could from their ruined homes.

"I watched my house disintegrate," said Peter Philbrook, who lost everything in a firestorm in the tiny town of Warrimoo on Sydney's western outskirts.

More than 4,400 people have been evacuated and at least 50 homes and thousands of hectares of forest and farmland have been ravaged by more than 100 fires, many of which are believed to have been lit deliberately.

Thousands of animals, including sheep, koalas, possums and kangaroos have been killed and about 247,000 acres of national parks destroyed.

Wildlife officials say it could take two years for the environment to regenerate.

Arrests

Three 15-year-old boys were arrested on Thursday in connection with three small bushfires in the small town of Shellharbour, south of Sydney, where several houses were destroyed over Christmas. They have escaped formal charges and are expected to receive counselling.

A 19-year-old man was arrested on Friday for lighting a grass fire in the national capital Canberra. He has been charged and granted bail.

NSW police say a strike force being set up to catch bush fire arsonists will bring together specialist resources from every affected region.

Authorities say the cost of the damage is at least A$20m ($10.15m).

Sydney threatened

The flames are now less than 25 km (15 miles) from the centre of the New South Wales state capital, Sydney.

Residents are struggling to protect their homes

Authorities have asked residents in inner Sydney to use water sparingly to ensure fire-fighters have sufficient water pressure to fight the infernos.

Helicopters have been dropping water on the flames, stopping to fill up in back yards and swimming pools.

The fires have left Sydney covered in a dense blanket of smoke, its famous beaches blackened by ash and burnt leaves.

Fire officials went from house to house on Friday, warning residents that the worse could be still to come.

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