RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says strong winds are causing the Springwood fire to flare up. Source: AAP
BUSHFIRES are beginning to rear up in the NSW Blue Mountains, where strong winds are playing havoc with blazes that ruined communities last week.
The fire at Springwood, where almost 200 homes were destroyed, has once again been upgraded to the highest warning level.
Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says the fire was flaring on Wednesday under high winds and sending off ember showers.
"Activity is increasing right across different parts of the fire grounds throughout the Blue Mountains," he said.
"The strong winds are proving to be very difficult for the firefighters, for aircraft and is increasing fire behaviour."
Blue Mountains residents not prepared to defend their homes from fire were advised to leave on Wednesday morning, but Mr Fitzsimmons said anyone remaining in Springwood and Winmalee was advised to look out for embers and take direction from firefighters.
Crews were also being re-directed to protect homes at Bilpin and Berambing in the Blue Mountains.
The other emergency warning is in play west of Newcastle at Minmi, where a school has been evacuated.
Mr Fitzsimmons said fire crews in the area were providing protection to the children from Minmi Public School, who have been relocated to a local community centre.
The M1 Pacific Motorway, formerly known as the F3, was closed in both directions between Beresfield and Seahampton due to the Minmi fire.
A number of fires were also starting in the Hawkesbury region, near Putty, due to lightning strikes, Mr Fitzsimmons said.
Winds were expected to worsen this afternoon, adding to the fire threat.
"These very strong winds gusting up to 100km/h across the mountain ranges are expected to continue right down along the coastal fringe through the Sydney basin," he added.
"Conditions are going to be worse across much of the fire weather area throughout the balance of this afternoon."
There are now more than 60 bushfires in NSW including 22 that are uncontained.
Thousands of firefighters are on the field and 95 aircraft available.
Premier Barry O'Farrell said the worst conditions were yet to come.
"We are now about two hours away from what is expected to be the worst part of the day and the winds regrettably are significantly picking up," he told parliament on Wednesday.
He thanked the almost 1000 interstate firies who were lending a hand, but condemned the reported action of one Blue Mountains landlord who had attempted to increase rent for people who had lost their homes and were seeking emergency short-term accommodation.
"Regrettably, despite some wonderful stories of great community spirit which has gone on during this fire crisis, there is always going to be the odd alternative," he said.
Children at the Bishop Tyrell Anglican College in Minmi have also been evacuated and are being looked after by staff at a park in Wallsend, police say.
Parents have been asked to collect their children from Federal Park in Boscawen Street.
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