Waterbomb helicopter saves 14

A big orange water-bombing helicopter called Elvis has saved the lives of 14 volunteer firefighters trapped in raging Australian bush fires.

Elvis came to the rescue when a wall of flames surrounded the three fire crews in the Blue Mountains yesterday as trees ignited around them.

Within five minutes of receiving the distress call, Elvis dumped its cargo of 9,000 litres of water, immediately dousing the flames and clearing a path for their escape.

"The flames were crowning the treetops, it was a fireball, we were surrounded," said crew member Chris Tierney, 20, of the Hazelbook brigade. "Elvis saved us, absolutely. You could feel the heat on the window as we were driving out," said fellow crewman Darrell Pascoe, 31.

"We love Elvis," said 29-year-old Michael Laverton and members of the Lawson brigade scrawled "We Love Elvis" on their helmets.

The fire crews were mopping up on the Ingar Fire Trail, about 15km from Wentworth Falls, when the fire turned on them in swirling winds. Indicators, sirens and wheel rims on the trucks melted in the intense heat. Mick Barr, 30, said: "The wind was swirling the flames so we went into emergency procedures. We got the chainsaw out and cut down some trees before we decided it would be safer to call in aerial support."

More than 100 fires continued to burn across New South Wales, with the south coast and the Blue Mountains - where firefighters have been forced to call off back-burning operations - the main areas of concern.

A firewall stretched for 35 kilometres across the Blue Mountains, threatening homes in the town of Woodford. With changing winds and 200 firefighters on the scene, residents were put on high alert to abandon their homes.

Rural fire chief Ian Krimmer said: "This fire is going to keep popping up for the next few days. As the wind moves into each gully, it forms its own weather pattern. We will be chasing it for a long time to come."

Resident Ross Cooper said as he prepared to evacuate: "It's just an awesome display of destruction. I've never seen anything like it."

The Queen sent a message praising the firemen of New South Wales and expressing her sympathy to those who have lost their homes.