Last February Australia suffered its worst wildfires, which led to the deaths of 173 people [Reuters]

Hundreds of residents were forced to flee their homes on Saturday, while about 600 firefighters worked to battle more than 50 blazes in the eastern state.

Firefighters have been battling one large fire near the town of Mount Archer for several days.

Authorities believe it may have been started deliberately.

However, there was hope that showers forecast for Sunday may help contain the blaze.

About 20 wildfires also broke out in the eastern state of New South Wales and others in Western Australia, but no properties were at risk.

One firefighter collapsed and died in New South Wales while attempting to extinguish a grass fire.

"Firefighters are men and women who are dedicated to saving life and property - it hits all of us hard when one of our own dies or is injured," Greg Mullins, the New South Wales Fire Brigade commissioner, said in a statement.

In February, 173 people died in the country's worst ever bushfire disaster.

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