In pictures: Blaze threat to Sydney

Thousands of people evacuate towns and resorts as firefighters battle bush fires in the eastern Australian state of New South Wales.

Residents help to fight the flames...

...as others who have fled return home with their pets

Emergency crews are exhausted

The fires have reduced many homes to ash and rubble...

... and left Sydney's famous landmarks shrouded in smoke

Efforts to stop the fires spreading are continuing

A man dampens down a roof to prevent a house from catching fire...

... while firefighters enveloped in smoke battle a blaze south of Sydney