Misery continues as bush fires burn for 12th day

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

Fire chiefs and weather forecasters say they could stretch into next week.

About 100 blazes have been burning around Sydney and across New South Wales.

Smoke clouds have soared high into the sky and have reached New Zealand, 1,400 miles east across the Tasman Sea.

The largest fire has scorched 161,000 acres of bone-dry forest and farmland near Singleton, 80 miles north west of Sydney.

Another wildfire has isolated the coastal town of Bendalong, about 120 miles south of Sydney. Hundreds of people have camped out in the safe openness of a beach.

The only road to the town was cut off by raging flames and thick smoke. Some residents and holidaymakers have been evacuated by boats.

A fast-moving, 37-mile long fire front is burning in the rugged and heavily forested Blue Mountains, 50 miles west of Sydney. Dozens of residents have left the town of Bowen Mountain.

Residents are also being asked to evacuate parts of the Hawkesbury district on Sydney's northern outskirts.

Meteorologists say southern-hemisphere summer temperatures, that climbed above 38°C (100°F) earlier this week, have dropped to around 26°C (78°F).