On Monday there were 56 fires still burning around the state, 12 of which were not contained.

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At 3.30pm two emergency warnings were in place: for the State Mine Fire near Lithgow and for a fire burning in bushland in the southern highlands as burning embers are being blown towards Wilton.

Residents in Bell have been told to leave now if not prepared and travel west along the Bells Line of Road towards Lithgow. The Lithgow Workers Club is open as an evacuation centre.

Two "watch and act" warnings are in place for fires at Springwood and Mount Victoria in the Blue Mountains.

You can read the Rural Fire Service major fire updates here.

Fairfax photographer Nick Moir spent the night with firefighters who are attempting to get the better of the fires in the Blue Mountains ahead of Wednesday's forecast for strong winds and hot, dry conditions. See his photos here.

What do the warning levels mean?

Emergency: The highest level of bush fire alert. People in these areas may be in danger and need to take action immediately. Any delay puts life at risk.

Watch and act: There is heightened threat level. Conditions are changing, and people in theses areas needs to start taking action to protect themselves.

Advice: A fire has started. There is no immediate danger. Stay up-to-date in case the situation changes.

What roads are closed?

Lithgow/Bilpin: Bells Line of Road is closed in both directions between Bilpin and Lithgow. The Great Western Highway remains open and can be used as an alternative.

Mt Victoria: Darling Causeway remains closed in both directions.

Wilton (east of Picton): Picton Road remains closed between Macarthur Drive and the M1 Princes Motorway (Mount Ousley Road). Motorists are able to access the Wilton township from the Hume Motorway via Wilton Road, however Wilton Road is not suitable for heavy vehicles.

How are rail services affected?

Due to rail infrastructure damage, trains will not run between Bathurst, Lithgow and Mt Victoria only. These trains will be replaced by buses.

Passengers travelling to Bell station are advised to speak to station staff at Lithgow or Mt Victoria.

Which public schools are closed on Monday?

Bilpin Public School

Yanderra Public School

Hilltop Road Public School

How many homes have been destroyed?

The Rural Fire Service says 208 homes have been destroyed, the majority in the Blue Mountains. A further 122 have been damaged.

Forty other buildings have been destroyed, and 11 damaged.

What caused the fires?

The Springwood and Mount Victoria fires were started by powerlines during strong winds, the Rural Fire Service says.

Fire investigators are yet to determine the cause of the State Mine Fire, which started on defence land. They will examine whether it was ignited by explosives training.

What is the weather forecast?

Monday is expected to be the hottest day in the lower Blue Mountains, with a top of 36 degrees, and winds north to north-westerly between 20km/h and 30km/h.

A top of 33 degrees is forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday in that area.

Firefighters expect Wednesday's conditions to be the most challenging.

As well as high temperatures, humidity is forecast to be low, and westerly winds will average between 35 to 50 km/h, gusting close to 90km/h.

Fire ban

The RFS has issued a fire ban for the Central Ranges, Illawarra/Shoalhaven, Greater Sydney Region and Greater Hunter districts until further notice.

All national parks are closed across the greater Sydney metropolitan area.

How can I donate?

The Salvation Army Bushfire Relief Appeal

salvos.org.au; 13 72 58

Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery

redcross.org.au; 1800 811 700

St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Bushfire Appeal