Lightning sparks more Australia fires

Helicopters aid the fight to contain Australia's bushfires.

Blazes continue to rage in northern and western New South Wales Sunday after lightning ignited more than 100 new fires.

The state has lost more than 220,000 acres of land to the flames.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) RURAL FIRE SERVICE, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER ROB ROGERS, SAYING:

"Considering how dry it's been from these heatwave conditions, fires will develop very, very quickly in those conditions."

Crews in central Australia, where fires are easing, lit controlled back burns to stop their advance.

A heatwave in the outback melted asphalt over the weekend.

And in some areas, firefighters were faced with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius.