FED: Bushfires rage in two states as temps ease in NSW

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FED: Bushfires rage in two states as temps ease in NSW

Firefighters in two states are battling their most extreme bushfire season in decadesas their colleagues in fire-ravaged NSW give thanks for milder weather.

Firefighters today hope to contain Victoria's biggest bushfire in 20 years, after extremeweather conditions eased yesterday.

The fire has burned across 178,000 hectares of scrub and farmland in Victoria's north-westafter it was sparked by lightning strikes in the Big Desert Wilderness park one week ago.

West Australian firefighters have battled more than 200 metropolitan fires and 70 countryblazes with the past two days being their busiest period on record.

And there's fears things could get worse today.

Fire and Emergency Services Authority Major Operations Coordinator GARY KENNEDY saysthe fire risk is still high, with lightning strikes expected over the next few days.

Meanwhile NSW firefighters have been given the best Christmas present this year -- mild weather.

Rural Fire Service spokesman JOHN WINTER says NSW residents can rest assured this year'sfestive season won't be marred by the horror of last year's Christmas bushfires.

He says recent rain has temporarily reduced the fire risk and there's no major threatexpected this week.

But he warns that relief is unlikely to last.

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KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES WRAP (SYDNEY)