LOWER than expected temperatures have provided some relief for NSW firefighters, but several fires continue to burn across the state.
At least three properties were under threat from an out-of-control bushfire at Gully Falls, near Dungog, in the Hunter Valley.
The fire had already burnt through 20 hectares of bushland since it broke out just after midday on Thursday.
Ground crews, with the help of a waterbombing aircraft, were trying to contain the blaze before it reached nearby rural properties.
About 40 firefighters were also trying to contain a bush and grass fire that began in the early afternoon near a wastewater treatment plant at Raymond Terrace, near Newcastle.
Heavy smoke billowing from the blaze briefly affected traffic on the Pacific Highway, but Superintendent Greg Windeatt, from Fire and Rescue NSW, said no properties were in danger.
''One firefighter has suffered slight smoke inhalation but that person is being treated by ambulance,'' he said.
There were a total of 68 bushfires burning across the state late yesterday. Sixteen of them were uncontained, a NSW Rural Fire Service spokesman said.
A total fire ban remains in place for Greater Sydney, the Greater Hunter, Illawarra and Shoalhaven, where temperatures had been expected to reach the high 30s yesterday.
But an RFS spokeswoman said that by late afternoon it had not been as warm as forecast.
''At the moment we're only seeing temperatures in the mid-20s and the wind hasn't whipped up as much as predicted,'' she said.
''But I don't think we're into the peak of the day yet.''
A southerly was due to hit the NSW south coast by late afternoon and gradually move north.
''Obviously that's going to bring a cooler change but with it, preceding that, will be some stronger winds,'' the spokeswoman said.
The fire ban remains in place until midnight today.
AAP
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