Australian bushfire worst in decade

Hundreds of bushfires are burning in eastern Australia, but one of them is causing grave concerns in New South Wales.

Described as the most destructive fire in over a decade, and still classified as out of control, it has already burned more than 100,000 acres of land and destroyed over 40 homes.

The Rural Fire Service has resorted to working at night when temperatures are cooler, as forecasters predict a heatwave over the weekend.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) ALEX CHESSER, NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE, SAYING:

"On most fires overnight we spend most of our time when the conditions are milder really getting in there and doing all that work that we really weren't able to do in the heat of the day. We have been able to continue strengthening and consolidating containment lines and working out implementing containment lines where we had not had any."

Local media have described the lack of deaths or even injuries in mainland Australia as "remarkable".

But the property damage is on the rise - more than 700 claims have already been lodged, with losses estimated to be approaching 74 million U.S. dollars.