Hundreds stranded in transport chaos

HUNDREDS of NSW commuters were left stranded yesterday after raging bushfires left rail services suspended and roads closed.

HUNDREDS of NSW commuters were left stranded yesterday -- or faced long delays -- after raging bushfires left rail services suspended and roads closed, and caused Newcastle airport to be shut down.

Rail services west of Sydney and south of Dubbo were cancelled because of bushfires in the Blue Mountains burning "out of control", while drivers were told to avoid "all non-essential travel" in the region.

The Darling Causeway motorway in the Blue Mountains was shut between the towns of Mount Victoria and Bell and major route the Bells Line of Road was closed in both directions between Bell and Lithgow to the west.

NSW TrainLink chief executive Rob Mason said travellers would need to plan for "major delays" as buses were brought in to ferry passengers.

"The safety of our customers and staff is our No 1 priority (and we) are working with emergency services to restore services as soon as possible," Mr Mason said. He said the extent of the damage would not be known until the fire had passed, and was unable to say when services would resume.

Newcastle airport was closed yesterday after a bushfire burning nearby breached containment lines, having been fanned by gusty winds. It was unclear how long the airport would remain closed; however, an airport spokesman said it may reopen today.

Rural Fire Service spokesman Joel Kursawe said that the situation there was "pretty full on".

The fire, burning parallel to the airport, is also threatening a service station on a main road, Mr Kursawe said.

"I know that things are getting pretty hairy for them up there," he said.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING: AAP