Emergency warnings were issued in two areas of western Sydney as bush fires threaten to engulf homes and properties, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service said today.

Fast moving fires near Castlereagh and Windsor are being fanned by strong, warm northerly winds and temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius, the RFS website said.

Aerial television footage showed fire fighters dropping water from helicopters to control the flames which have already burned several outbuildings. The University of Western Sydney has sent its students home because of power outages caused by the fires, Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Local media said as many as 40 fires, currently burning in New South Wales, have not been contained.

There have not been reports of any casualties.

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