Firefighters are taking advantage of easing weather conditions to extend control lines around bushfires still burning across New South Wales in Australia.
The fires have destroyed almost 50 homes during the last five days and forced the evacuation of thousands of householders as well as extensive road, rail and school closures. At least two deaths have been blamed on the fires.
Rural Fire Service (RFS) chief Mr Phil Koperberg said the threat was now easing because of cooler weather while rain forecast for tomorrow should assist further.
"The firefighters will be out there for many many days yet performing the arduous, dirty, labour-intensive task of mopping up," he added.
"It's just as critical in terms of the totality of fire management that that job is done effectively otherwise we will have outbreaks again as soon as the sun shines again."
Transport systems and schools reopened today, but around 60 fires were continuing to burn across the drought-parched eastern state and a total of 4,000 firefighters were still working to control the fires.
Fires in the Blue Mountains communities of Blackheath and Wentworth Falls to the west of Sydney were still causing most concern.
One property was destroyed, a firefighter was injured and blazes came dangerously close to the historic Hydro Majestic Hotel at Medlow Bath, in the Blue Mountains on Sunday.
But no properties were under direct threat today as firefighters concentrated on property protection in these areas.
AFP