Tens of thousands of people living in homes enveloped by miles of flames have been warned by fire chiefs to escape certain areas of New South Wales as they battle the horror inferno in unbearable temperatures of 46C. Tourists were also warned to stay away from the coast south of Sydney by officials who said: “Do not be in this area on Saturday.” A state of emergency was declared today, despite the out-of-control wildfires having been started more than a week ago.