NSW fires LIVE updates: Bushfire emergencies on Sydney's outskirts amid severe fire danger

The Rural Fire Service says no bushfires are currently burning at emergency level in NSW.

Just before 3.30am on Friday, the RFS downgraded the Gospers Mountain Fire from emergency level to watch-and-act level. An hour earlier, the Little L Complex fire was also downgraded to watch-and-act level.

On Friday, 10 areas stretching from the NSW South Coast north to the Queensland border will be subject to a fire ban due to severe and very high fire dangers.

"Warm and dry westerly winds will result in elevated fire dangers across the northern and eastern parts of New South Wales," the NSW Bureau of Meteorology says.

We're going to wrap up our live coveage of the NSW bushfires now, but here is a wrap of what happened on Thursday. We'll be monitoring the situation, and will bring you the latest news throughout Friday online.

Thanks for joining us.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has also issued a road safety alert for Sydney due to smoke affecting visibility.

"Reduced visibility in smoke may make road conditions dangerous at times (on) Thursday night and during Friday, particularly for southern and south-western suburbs," the BOM said.

"Motorists are advised to take extreme care."

A fire weather warning is also in place for large parts of NSW.

Those areas are: Far North Coast, North Coast, Greater Hunter, Greater Sydney Region, Illawarra/Shoalhaven, Far South Coast, Monaro Alpine, Southern Ranges, Central Ranges, New England, Northern Slopes and North Western fire areas.

The Rural Fire Service has now downgraded the threat level for the Three Mile fire, in the Hawkesbury and Central Coast local government areas.

An emergency level warning had earlier been in place, but that was reduced to watch-and-act just before 1.30am on Friday.

"Conditions are begining to ease, however there is still some erratic fire behaviour across the fireground," the RFS said.

"The fire is burning in the vicinity of Mangrove Mountain, [and] firefighters are working to protect properties in the area.

"Spot fires are starting ahead of the main fire and the fire is spreading quickly in an easterly direction."

Sydney firefighters have shared this footage from the firefront on Thursday night to show just how quickly a bushfire can spread.

The firefighters can be seen running away as, within seconds, the raging flames roar up to engulf large trees.

Fire and Rescue NSW's Menai station shared the footage with the message: "Just an example of how quickly bushfires hit. 48 station Mortdale and 90 Menai in the thick of it. Stay safe crew."

The RFS downgraded the threat level from the Green Wattle Creek fire, from emergency level to watch-and-act level, just before 11.30pm on Thursday.

Firefighters warned that the fire, which has already burnt out more than 35,000 hectares of land, is still burning out of control. 

The RFS said those in the areas of Oakdale, Werombi, or Orangeville, should enact their bushfire survival plans. "If your plan is to leave, leave now before the fire threatens," the RFS said.

"If you are in surrounding areas including Theresa Park, Nattai, Warragamba, The Oaks, Lakesland, Thirlmere, Buxton, Balmoral, Bargo and Hill Top, monitor the conditions. Know what you will do if the fire threatens."

Firefighters were overwhelmed by flames in Orangeville on Thursday night.Credit: Nick Moir

The Green Wattle Creek fire has continued to devastate the area west of Camden, with an RFS spokesman saying that the flames are right on the doorstep of Orangeville, up to Silverdale Road.

Fire erupting from the bush, almost crossing Silverdale Road in Orangeville.Credit: Nick Moir

"Crews are working on containment options and to slow the fire where they can," he said. Two hundred and seventy firefighters are still battling at that firefront.

Conditions are expected to worsen on Friday, and people have been warned to be alert and decide on their actions early.

As of 10.30pm on Thursday night, 127 fires around the state are still burning. In addition to those five at emergency level, four others are at 'watch and act' - three in proximity to the emergency fires in the Hunter, and one close to the Currowan fire near Batemans Bay.

The Rural Fire Service reminds everyone to avoid fire paths, to protect yourself with protective clothing and footwear and to cover all exposed skin.

If the fire impacts, seek shelter in a solid structure to protect yourself from the heat of the fire, and if your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000).

As of 10.15pm, five fires are still carrying emergency warnings: Currowan near Batemans Bay, three in the Hunter region, and the Green Wattle Creek fire west of Camden where residents have been forced to evacuate. 

Chief Herald photographer Nick Moir was on the ground in Orangeville when the fire erupted out of the bush, forcing all to run from its path. 

People flee as the fire explodes in Orangeville.Credit: Nick Moir

People in the Wollombi, Yengo and Dharug National Park areas, west of Gosford, are being advised to plan ahead and to head towards the main city now or first thing in the morning, as conditions are expected to remain extremely dangerous on Friday. 

In Sydney, air quality will continue to be poor with an alert issued for tomorrow - wind will drag smoke over the basin until at least Monday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. 

A bushfire smoke expert has warned face masks are "close to useless" as the number of emergency department and ambulance call-outs for breathing difficulties increases, writes health reporter Rachel Clun.

The head of the environmental health group at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, Associate Professor Fay Johnston, said cloth or paper masks do not filter fine particles such as the ones caused by bushfire smoke.

Read the full story here 

Here is a gallery from our Herald photographers, as fires continue all around the state.