At least 12 homes destroyed as more than 75 bushfires burn across NSW

A bushfire burning in Koolewong on the NSW Central Coast. More than 50 fires were burning across the state on Saturday afternoon. Photograph: Central Coast Council

Extreme weather conditions are lingering across parts of Australia as crews fight to contain bushfires in multiple states.

Across New South Wales, more than 75 fires were burning on Saturday afternoon, with 19 yet to be contained. At least a dozen homes were destroyed by a fire burning at Koolewong on the Central Coast, with an emergency warning issued by the Rural Fire Service in place as of 5pm on Saturday.