Firefighters are expecting conditions to worsen over the weekend as they battle to contain major bushfires in New South Wales.
Warnings for the blazes at Bees Nest near Armidale, Drake near Tenterfield, and Shark Creek in the Clarence Valley were on Wednesday downgraded to 'advice' levels as the threat eased.
But it could still take days or even weeks to bring them under control, NSW Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said.
Firefighters are in a "race against time to try and get as much containment as we can" before conditions worsen, he told the Nine Network.
NSW Rural Fire Service Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers. Source: AAP
Winds and temperatures are forecast to pick up on the weekend, and authorities say early signals for Monday and Tuesday are also concerning.
There are indications the state could see severe - or higher - fire danger ratings early in the week.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison in a video on Wednesday night said those affected by fires in Queensland and NSW could count on the support of their fellow Australians and state and federal governments.
"These disasters hit us but how we respond as Australians is always remarkable," Mr Morrison said.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott is also lending his support to the firefighting efforts, deploying to Drake in northern New South Wales.
Mr Abbott is a volunteer with the Davidson brigade of the NSW Rural Fire Service, which deployed to the NSW north coast last week before finding itself near Tenterfield.
Local MP Barnaby Joyce paid tribute to his former coalition party room colleague in parliament on Wednesday.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott is joining crews in the firefighting effort. Source: AAP
"What we are encountering in regional areas is the most exceptional drought in Australia's written history," Mr Joyce said.
"I would like to comment on a person who is currently fighting bushfires in these dire circumstances and that is the former prime minister of Australia, the Honourable Tony Abbott, who as we speak is at Drake fighting a bushfire in my electorate."
North of the border, a 14 and 15-year-old have been charged after allegedly lighting a bushfire on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
Thousands of residents were forced to flee their homes to escape the inferno after it was lit in bushland and quickly spread towards Peregian Beach.
Queensland Police has once again warned anyone against deliberately endangering life and property.
"With Queensland continuing to experience extreme and dangerous fire conditions throughout the state, police are reminding the public of the dangers of lighting fires or committing acts of arson."
A number of children have been rebuked by Queensland Police over the deliberate lighting of fires across the state.
