Australian fire-fighters have brought in reinforcements to tackle bushfires in and around Sydney.<br/> In the Blue Mountains to the west strong winds are fanning the flames.<br/> Residents could only watch as emergency crews fought to bring the flames under control before they reached homes.<br/> SOUNDBITE: Unidentified resident saying (English):<br/> "Just below the scrub down there, below the playground, about 50 metres."<br/> Some holidaymakers are leaving early because of fears for their safety.<br/> SOUNDBITE: Unidentified holidaymaker from Brisbane saying (English):<br/> "It's flaring up all the time so it's not really safe, and there's a lot of smoke."<br/> Police are investigating the cause of the fires. Fire service officials have been angered by the possibility some may have been started deliberately.<br/> SOUNDBITE: Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons saying (English):<br/> "It's disgraceful, it's sickening and, as I say, we don't have any place for these sorts of people."<br/> With fears rising that the winds could get stronger still the firefighters are facing the prospect of a long night ahead.<br/> Paul Chapman, Reuters
