New South Wales Rural Fire Service crew members fight a fire near Mount Wilson in the Blue Mountains of Australia on Thursday, October 24. Wildfires threatened the western suburbs of Sydney on Wednesday as high winds and temperatures created at least a dozen new fires that were blazing across a 1,000-mile stretch of New South Wales.
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(CNN) -- Bush fires blazing in Australia's New South Wales claimed their first victim Friday after a man died of a suspected heart attack defending his home against the blaze on the NSW Central Coast.
Australian media reports said Walter Lindner, 63, collapsed while battling alongside his neighbor to save his heritage-listed homestead. He was rushed to hospital but was later pronounced dead.
Meanwhile, more than 20 bush fires continued to burn uncontrolled across the state despite the easing weather conditions, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Authorities say hundreds of homes have been lost with the worst hit areas in the Blue Mountains, a World Heritage area to the west of Sydney, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air.
Firefighters were battling 98 fires across New South Wales as of late Thursday, according to the state's Rural Fire Service. Earlier Thursday, the fire service tweeted that 34 blazes were still out of control.
More than 100 firefighters were battling flames in Heatherbrae, where one fire has so far destroyed 3,500 hectares (8,649 acres), the service said.
Australia bush fires scorch homes
Bush fires raging in Australia
New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell warned at a news conference Thursday that hundreds of homes could be destroyed by the time the crisis is over.
He paid tribute to the efforts of the emergency responders battling the flames.
"Today's conditions, both the hot, dry conditions but also the wind conditions, have contributed to the difficulties faced by firefighters and communities on the ground," he said.
"This difficult, damaging and dangerous day and these conditions are not going to be over quickly," he said. "Weather conditions are changing. It will take some days to see the end of these fires, and I suspect if we get through that without the loss of life, we should thank God for miracles."
Footage broadcast by CNN affiliate Seven Network showed flames consuming homes.
The New South Wales Rural Fire Service has issued emergency warnings for the most risky situations.
They include the State Mine Fire, a large bush fire moving from Lithgow toward Bilpin, in the Blue Mountains, which has burned more than 20,000 hectares (more than 49,000 acres) of bushland, firefighters said.
Another blaze threatens homes in the Springwood area of the Blue Mountains.
Embers blow around trees as a fire rages near Mount Wilson on October 24.
Firefighters battle flames in the Blue Mountains on October 24.
Thick smoke fills the sky near Faulconbridge on October 24.
A helicopter drops water on fires burning in Faulconbridge on Thursday, October 24.
Firefighters battle the fire front as it moves toward homes in Lake Macquarie, Australia, on Wednesday, October 23.
Firefighters battle the front line in Lake Macquarie on October 23.
Firefighters rest as they wait for the fire front to jump a freeway in Newcastle, Australia, on October 23.
New South Wales Rural Fire Service crews mop up an area after stopping a fire in Bilpin in the Blue Mountains of Australia on October 23.
A firefighter mops up on October 23, after a firestorm swept through Bilpin.
A volunteer firefighter holds onto his helmet as strong winds push through the Mount York fire area near the Blue Mountains on October 23.
Rural Fire Service firefighters set up a back burn near Springwood in the Blue Mountains on Tuesday, October 22.
People walk around the area behind their destroyed home in Winmalee on October 22.
A firefighter hoses flames near houses in Bilpin on October 22.
A man in Yellow Rock, Australia, stands in front of a building on Monday, October 21, that was destroyed by the bush fires scorching the country's eastern state of New South Wales.
A firefighter lights a back burn Monday, October 21 near Mount Victoria in the Blue Mountains. There are fears that the dozens of fires could become one possible "megafire."
Smoke from the bush fires is seen burning near Sydney in this October 21 photo released by NASA. New South Wales is Australia's most populous state. One in three Australians live there.
A firefighter puts in containment lines on the Darling Causeway, near Bell, Australia, on October 21.
A volunteer firefighter works to put out a fire near the Monkey Creek Cafe in Bell on Sunday, October 20.
Victims look over the remains of their home on Friday, October 18, after a devastating bush fire passed through Winmalee in the Blue Mountains.
In this photo provided by 
A helicopter works to extinguish bush fires burning near Winmalee on October 18.
The charred coastline of Catherine Hill Bay is seen near Wyong, Australia, on October 18.
The Wallarah House, a historic site, sits burned to the ground in Catherine Hill Bay on October 18.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott speaks during a bush fire briefing in Winmalee on October 18.
Smoke fills the sky above the Winmalee Country Club on October 18.
Firefighters fought scores of bush fires in New South Wales early on October 18.
Smoke and ash from wildfires blanket the Sydney skyline on Thursday, October 17.
Smoke looms over Sydney University in this photo taken October 17 by 
Sean Butler walks with his face covered after fighting fires with other residents of the historic township of Newnes Junction on October 17.
Smoke shrouds a cricket match between the Western Australia Warriors and the South Australia Redbacks during their Ryobi Cup match October 17 at Drummoyne Oval.
Thick smoke rises from a bush fire burning near Springwood on October 17.
Smoke fills the sky over the Sydney Harbour Bridge on October 17.
Smoldering remains are seen in Newnes Junction on October 17.
Smoke fills the sky over Sydney on October 17.
Authorities are preparing for conditions to worsen amid forecasts of hotter weather and stronger winds.
