A tragic weekend unfolded for residents of a northern Sydney suburb, as a fierce fire ravaged the area, fueled by temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius.

Across New South Wales, a total of 53 fires are currently active, with nine still awaiting containment, according to the RFS.

In response, a force of 500 firefighters, supported by 160 vehicles, has been deployed to combat the flames.

RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin described the firefighting conditions in NSW as “extremely challenging.”

He confirmed that since last week, 20 homes have been reduced to ashes across the state.

The Bulahdelah fire which started last week and is where the firefighter was killed on the NSW Mid North Coast is now 3500 hectares big.

Currently there are 100 firefighters working there.

“Hundreds of firefighters have been working for days and through the nights to protect our communities in that area and to save lives,” Curtin said.

He warned of an “above average” bushfire season, waning people should “prepare themselves for further losses.”

More hot weather is expected on Tuesday, with temperatures over 30 degrees expected in Sydney.

Residents on the NSW Central Coast described how quickly fire took hold of their homes, leaving many with nothing.

Nick Gibbs and his family escaped, but it was a close call.

He called it “the most surreal thing I’ve ever seen in my life”, even burning his feet in his desperate escape.

“We just ran. We literally ran. I’m not even exaggerating,” he said.

“There was fire, there was fire from both sides.”

Some people also lost their pets in the fire.

Brooke Hayward said she “lost everything” but there was a small joy when she managed to track down her pet pig, Pumbaa.