Overnight rain has helped firefighters get the upper hand on two blazes on the NSW mid-north coast that destroyed properties near Port Stephens.
The NSW Rural Fire Service on Monday downgraded fires at Fingal Bay and Salt Ash in the state's Hunter region from "watch and act" to "advice" after a southerly change on Sunday night ended 24 hours of extreme conditions.
Five properties were reportedly damaged or destroyed between Salt Ash and Tanilba Bay after a heatwave pushed the mercury to above 36 degrees in some parts of NSW.
The RFS has set up an evacuation centre at the Community Hall, Nelson Bay Road, Williamtown and roads in the area remain closed.
It says firefighters are working to strengthen containment lines in the area.
RFS spokesman Brendan Doyle said firefighters were back on the front foot against the 63 fires burning across the state but 22 were still uncontained.
"All our fires are at advice at the moment and that's thanks to the great work of firefighters who have been assisted by some light rain overnight," Mr Doyle told Fairfax Radio Network.
The RFS also says around 60 firefighters continue to battle a blaze at Webbs Creek in Sydney's Hawkesbury region, with light rain currently falling on the fire ground.
Meanwhile, investigators are reportedly continuing to look into a grass fire at Sydney's Olympic Park that destroyed 47 cars and damaged about 80 on Sunday.
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