( CNN ) -- Residents of Australia 's most populous state are enduring unpredictable wildfires fueled by strong winds , dry heat and low humidity . Authorities warned of worsening conditions and advised residents to self-evacuate in certain areas . On Tuesday , the New South Wales Rural Fire Services issued blunt warnings to residents in vulnerable areas . Uncertain of how long they would have to leave their homes and what may happen to their homes and belongings , residents posed questions to fire authorities . Firefighters tried to protect towns by conducting controlled burns -- intended to clear away brush and vegetation -- - that could fuel the active , uncontrollable fire . The wildfires have already claimed more than 200 homes . Firefighters , many of whom are volunteers have left their day jobs , converged to help . They descended into deep canyons and mountains , some of which had tough , inaccessible terrains to try to get ahead of the fire before it reaches towns and homes . Tim Parsley , one of the firefighters , has felt the impact of the fires as his sister lost her house . Among the rubble , they managed to salvage her wedding ring , but `` everything else was gone , '' he said . `` The thing that I said to my sister is that you got away with your life and we 're sitting here having a conversation about it and that 's all that matters . '' The wildfires stretching along nearly 1,000-mile line in New South Wales , began last week . On Wednesday , Ruth Dykyj , an author in Killingworth , New South Wales , noted dreadful conditions outdoors . The fire 's toll was erratic in neighborhoods . Some homes were reduced to ashes and just across the street , other houses remained untouched . Christy Daschke is one of those who was affected . She and her husband , Jake examined the rubble that used to be their home . The only belonging that emerged unscathed is the line used to dry their clothes . They regret that they could not save their photos . `` The honeymoon , the wedding , me as a baby , of Jake as a baby , my whole 12 years with Jake -- - we do n't have a record of any photos to show my children of , you know , me growing up with their dad , '' Daschke said . As residents grappled with their loss and uncertainty of the fires , others rallied to help . Support for people affected in New South Wales came in different ways . Robyn Connell , a community worker and mother who lives in Blue Mountains observed this at her neighborhood meeting in the town of Katoomba , earlier this week . More than 70 fires remain .
Wildfires to be unpredictable in Australia 's most populous region . Uncertainty for those who live in Blue Mountains . More than 100 lives have been lost in fires .