Blue Mountains brace for dangerous day RESIDENTS in the Blue Mountains who have not prepared for a day of extreme fire danger have been urged to leave the area as early as possible. The stern warning comes as firefighters brace for the worst fire conditions since the NSW bushfire crisis unfolded last week. Temperatures in the mid-30s teamed with wind gusts between 80-100km/h and low humidity are forecast for the Greater Hunter, Southern Highlands, Blue Mountains and Greater Sydney on Wednesday. Fifty-five blazes are burning across the state, including 17 that are uncontained. The most concerning fires are those around towns in the Blue Mountains, including Lithgow, Springwood and Mount Victoria. The Rural Fire Service (RFS) says Wednesday's conditions are as bad as it gets and has advised residents to leave the area if they have no important reason to be there. "If you are not prepared, I don't know what it takes to get a message out there that you should be prepared if you live in a bushfire-prone area or at risk area," RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said. If you have not prepared, if you are not comfortable about being in a high-risk area like the conditions we are expecting, then leaving early is clearly your safest option. All schools in the Blue Mountains and TAFE campuses in Katoomba and Wentworth Falls will be closed. Mr Fitzsimmons reinforced it was not a day off for students to hang at the skate park. "Know where your children are, keep the family together so you can make decisions and act together as a family in the event you are threatened by fire," he said. NSW Police has advised heavy vehicles to delay travel around the Blue Mountains with all long and wide-load escort permits revoked. An additional 1400 firefighters are on hand to assist with base camps established at Penrith and Sydney Olympic Park. A total fire ban is also in place.