Bush fires rage in Australia

Around 2000 Australian firefighters have had to put Christmas on hold today as they continue to battle 70 bush fires burning across the country’s most populated state.

Fuelled by tinder-dry conditions, the blazes in some parts of regions of New South Wales were expected to worsen later today as the winds picked up and temperatures soared to above 35 degrees Celsius.

Bush fire emergencies have been declared across the state.

No properties are under immediate threat but some homes in the Blue Mountains, around 50 miles west of Sydney, could be at risk if more fires flare later in the day.

The fires began in New South Wales on Thursday and have since burnt out thousands of acres of land and killed hundreds of sheep.

Temperatures in the major centres in central, western and northern Queensland are predicted to climb past 40 degrees Celsius but showers and thunder storms are predicted for most parts of the state tomorrow and Thursday.