LOWER than expected temperatures have provided some relief for NSW firefighters but a number of blazes continue to burn across the state.
At least three properties are under threat from an out-of-control bushfire at Gully Falls, near Dungog, in the Hunter Valley.
The fire has burnt through 20 hectares of bushland since it broke out just after midday (AEDT) on Thursday.
Ground crews, with the help of a water-bombing aircraft, are attempting to contain the blaze before it reaches the rural properties.
About 40 firefighters were also on scene to contain a bush and grass fire that began just after 2.30pm (AEDT) near a wastewater treatment plant at Raymond Terrace near Newcastle.
Heavy smoke billowing from the blaze briefly impacted traffic on the Pacific Highway, but Superintendent Greg Windeatt from Fire and Rescue NSW said no properties were in danger.
"We did have one firefighter suffer slight smoke inhalation but that person is being treated by ambulance," he told AAP.
In total there were 68 bushfires burning across the state on Thursday evening, 16 of which were uncontained, a NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) spokesman told AAP.
A total fire ban remains in place for Greater Sydney, Greater Hunter, Illawarra and Shoalhaven, where temperatures were expected to reach the high 30s on Thursday.
But an RFS spokeswoman said that by late afternoon it hadn't 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 told AAP.
"But I don't think we're into the peak of the day yet."
A southerly was set to hit the NSW south coast by 5pm (AEDT) and head north later in the evening.
"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 on Friday.
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