Wildfires broke out in forestland around Sydney as high temperatures and gusting winds fanned more than 100 blazes in eastern Australia, officials said today.

Lightning strikes ignited some 23 wildfires across western Australia.

Australian officials have declared that the worst of the 16-day bushfire crisis is over.

The air over Sydney cleared of smoke today for the first time in more than a fortnight, but bush fires continued to threaten a coastal village further south.

More than 1,500 people were evacuated from their homes as a massive blaze threatened three coastal villages south of Sydney today.

Weary firefighters sang and danced today after heavy rain doused many bush fires that had burned out of control across Australia’s most populous state for two weeks.

Firefighters battling bush fires around the Australian city of Sydney have received a respite from the ferocity of the blazes after clouds gathered over the city for the first time in days.

Massive bush fires are still raging around Sydney and now are heading closer to a tiny beach village to the south of the Australian City.

Firefighters battling wildfires in the Australian territory of New South Wales are expecting the weather to hamper their efforts to contain the blazes in the coming days.

Searing temperatures have dropped, but with erratic winds blowing and no rain in sight, Australia's fire crisis has entered its 12th day.

Thousands of Australians have sheltered on a beach after a forest firestorm descended upon a coastal village burning as many as 20 houses.

Australian Police have discovered the remains of what may have been two homemade bombs used by arsonists to set tinder-dry forests on fire.

Hot, dry and swirling winds fanned more than 100 uncontrollable bush fires and smoke clouds towered over Australia’s largest city today as angry officials vowed to punish arsonists, many of them children.

Thick smoke billowed over Australia’s largest city today as forest fires raged in and around Sydney, stretching a 20,000-strong firefighting force to its limit and threatening hundreds of homes.

Helicopters dumped water and firefighters filled buckets from backyard swimming pools in a desperate battle to save homes from a wildfire that raged through Sydney’s suburbs today.

Sydney continues to face the threat of bush fires.

Lightning strikes and the return of hot, dry winds have whipped up the bush fires in Eastern Australia.

Cool weather today allowed 15,000 firefighters to contain many of the wildfires that have been burning out of control across Australia’s most populous state.

Sydney is facing a new threat as bush fires have encircled the city - deadly snakes are fleeing the flames and entering the suburbs.

Five people have now been arrested in connection with starting fires in the Sydney area.

Police have arrested three youths for allegedly lighting bush fires south of Sydney as blazes continued to wreak havoc across Australia’s most populous state.