Bush fires close in on Sydney

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- A ring of fire is closing in on the Australian city of Sydney as up to 100 bush fires rage across the southeastern state of New South Wales.

Much of Australia's largest city, home to some 4 million people, is surrounded by flames while the center of Sydney itself and its famous harbor are blanketed by a brown haze.

Thousands of people have been forced from their homes and authorities have declared a total fire ban across much of the state.

Authorities say most of the fires were started by lightning but they are also investigating several cases of suspected arson.

Fire service Commissioner Phil Koperberg attacked the suspected arsonists Wednesday saying such people defied description.

VIDEO Shifting winds are making things tougher for firefighters in New South Wales trying to contain around 70 separate bush fires. CNN's Mike Skinner reports (December 26) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   MORE STORIES Australia's erratic summer     CNN.com Asia More news from our Asia edition

"It's bad enough when you have to contend with accidental fires, fires which are a result of lightning as indeed at least one of the major fires yesterday was," Koperberg told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

"But then to have the majority of fires lit by people for whom I can find no description, threatening the lives of literally hundreds of people and destroying the possessions of hundreds more, is a sad reflection on those sorts of people."

More than 5,000 firefighters are battling the flames but officials say it may be up to 10 days before the fires are brought under control.

The fire front is estimated to be about 700 kilometers (400 miles) long with many of the fires still too dangerous to attack directly.

Hot and windy weather conditions are helping to fan the flames.

As of Wednesday Sydney was virtually cut off from the rest of the state with all major highways closed by fires.

So far there have been no fatalities reported but the state Rural Fire Service said 140 properties had been confirmed as destroyed, including a school.

The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service has closed most of its parks until further notice.

Fire are burning in 11 major national parks as well as numerous other parks and bushland reserves.

This year's fires are the worst since 1994 when four lives were lost and 185 homes destroyed around Sydney.

The NSW Government has declared parts of Sydney's west, southern Sydney, the central coast, Illawarra, the north coast, central west and the Hunter as natural disaster areas.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard will visit some of the worst-affected areas Wednesday.

Bush fires are common in the Australian summer when high temperatures, dry timber and gusting winds fuel blazes.