latest on the blog -

The New South Wales fire chief says he cannot guarantee more homes or lives will not be lost tomorrow, in what is shaping up to be a dangerous day on the state's fire fronts.

Tomorrow is expected to be the worst day by far of the bushfire emergency, with conditions with temperatures in the high 30s and wind gusts of up to 100kph.

RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says if people have no need to be in the mountains, or are unprepared or incapacitated, they should leave.

"The forecast and scenario for tomorrow is about as bad as it gets," he said.

Earlier today showers on the fire fronts lifted the spirits of firefighters conducting back-burning operations, but did not slow the advance of the blazes.

Follow our blog for updates as they happen...

It's half past midnight here - Sydney CBD, near the harbour & the temperature is 21.7C here, the warmest it's been any night so far, & the forecast is for 35 today. Current temperatures on the mountains are about the same.

I'm very pleased I moved the big fan into my bedroom last night!

sandra