[quote]FIREFIGHTERS are using "high-risk" back-burning strategies against Blue Mountains bushfires, despite the chance they could hasten the formation of a "mega-fire". More than 200 homes have already been lost in the fires that have raged west of Sydney since Thursday, and 59 fires were still burning today. The great fear is that at least three major fires in the Blue Mountains will merge and head toward's Sydney's western suburbs amid worsening conditions on Wednesday. Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says firefighters are taking “considered” but risky moves to strengthen containment lines around the biggest fire - the huge State Mine blaze near Lithgow. Firefighters have successfully conducted back-burning along more than 20 kilometres of Bells Line of Road. But authorities conceded the move risked accelerating the feared joining-up of the State Mine fire with a blaze at Mount Victoria, which authorities say is likely to happen in coming days. [/quote] Well, it's not even Summer and Bushfires are beginning to ravage across the state. Any B.netter's out that far west?