More than 2,500 firefighters are battling nearly 100 blazes across the Australian state of New South Wales.

Authorities say the conditions are worse than in 2009 when bushfires killed 173 people in Victoria on what's become known as 'Black Saturday'. Temperatures have climbed to above 45°C in some parts.

Rural areas of New South Wales state have been evacuated as wildfires rage across the state, threatening homes and closing roads.

Sir Ivan fire from Dunedoo #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/3KiyI7bMwL

— Rob Rogers (@robrfs) February 12, 2017

Some 97 fires were burning across the state, with 37 uncontained, according to the Rural Fire Service said.

One person had been flown to hospital in Sydney after suffering burns, the authorities said.

Shane Fitzsimmons, the state's rural fire chief "This is the worst day we have seen in the history of New South Wales when it comes to fire danger ratings and fire conditions."

Firefighters are working hard to contain a large grass fire at Mangoola, north of Denman in the Hunter region. #NSWRFS #nswfires pic.twitter.com/FIK9gsjTBI

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) February 12, 2017

Emergency warnings were issued for several areas, with residents told to evacuate if they could or seek shelter and avoid bush or grassland where it was too late to leave.