NSW Emergency Services Minister Mike Gallacher says every possible resource is being thrown at the fight to contain the bushfires in the Blue Mountains.
Of the 56 fires still active across the state on Monday, 12 remained uncontained, with firefighters being recruited from interstate to assist with the worsening crisis.
The NSW government declared a state of emergency on Sunday, but Mr Gallacher said none of the special powers, such as forced evacuations, had been used by authorities yet.
He said every available resource, from volunteers to vehicles from state emergency departments and defence, were being utilised in the effort to bring the blazes under control.
"You can be assured that the other states are providing resources as well," he told ABC TV on Monday.
"Everything is being thrown at this, I can assure you."
The state had only used its emergency powers once during the flooding crisis in Wagga Wagga in 2012, he said.
But given the speed at which these fires were moving, and the warning of stronger winds and drier conditions building to Wednesday, the government decided it had to act.
Emergency crews needed to know that everyone had been removed from areas under direct threat, or else they would be the ones returning to the firestorm to help those stranded.
"It was a decision that we did not make lightly," Mr Gallacher said.
He praised communities in the badly-hit areas of Wingecarribee and the Bells Line of Road who worked closely with volunteers to contain blazes, and said similar co-operation would be vital in the testing days ahead.
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