Out-of-control bushfire sends plumes of thick smoke over Sydney's south-west

The risk from a bushfire burning near Kentlyn, in Sydney's south-west, has eased.

The 18-hectare fire sent large plumes of thick smoke stretch across the city's skyline.

Smoke was reportedly seen as far as away as Penrith, which is 55 kilometres away.

“The fire is slowly moving in a south-easterly direction away from residential properties,” James Morris from the NSW Rural Fire Service told 9news.com.au.

“Based on current wind direction, there is no threat to homes.”