Bush and forest fires rage on

Firefighters in several regions across the state of New South Wales, Australia are trying to contain bush and forest fires that have been burning for days.

The Rural Fire Service (RFS) is concerned that strong winds and high temperatures forecast in the coming days could fuel the blazes.

Up to 5,700 hectares of land have already burnt.

Local media say an estimated 10,000 sheep have been killed across New South Wales.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and local authorities have announced that 37 regions will be eligible for assistance.

Australia, the world's driest inhabited continent, is particularly vulnerable to bushfires, fuelled each summer by extreme heat and by what scientists say is creeping climate shift blamed for hotter average temperatures globally.