More than a dozen out-of-control bushfires are raging across NSW, while millions have been told to remain indoors as cyclone-strength winds threaten to lash parts of Victoria and South Australia.
As of Wednesday afternoon, there were 37 bush and grass fires burning across NSW with 13 yet to be contained, spurred on by scorching heat and dry winds.
Five total fire bans are in place across the state as a hot air system moves east across the country’s south-east, bringing record-breaking temperatures.
Fire authorities warn that the combination of scorching heat, and dry, strong winds could trigger dangerous fire behaviour and rapid spread across large areas of NSW.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Adam Hines said the conditions are a recipe for potential disaster.
‘The conditions and particularly the winds and a bubble of heat stretching across Australia are a combination you don’t want to play around with,’ Mr Hines said.
‘The all-time temperatures were delivering heatwave conditions and elevated fire danger.’
The hot air system built up over the Pilbara, in north Western Australia, smashing October records across the Outback, before bringing unprecedented mercury levels to towns across New South Wales north-west on Tuesday.
A total of 37 fires are burning across New South Wales, including 13 yet to be contained
Members of the NSW Rural Fire Service are pictured during a hazard reduction burn in Dural on Sunday in the lead-up to a mid-week heat blast
Ravaging heat is expected to pass eastwards towards Sydney today, bringing a maximum temperature of 39C and potentially higher in the suburbs
That same system is now sweeping towards Sydney, with temperatures forecast to climb as high as 40C, with highs expected in the mid-afternoon.
Residents are urged to monitor conditions closely and be ready to act quickly as temperatures soar and winds strengthen.
Meanwhile, parts of Victoria and South Australia are in the firing line for gale-force winds and thunderstorms after two intense weather systems converged off the south coast.
Wind gusts are expected to exceed 120km/h in south-west Victoria as it moves eastward: Geelong, the Mornington Peninsula and south Gippsland are all in the firing line.
Speeds will reach 60km/h in Melbourne before potentially picking up to 100km/h in the afternoon.
Residents have been urged to remain indoors amid warnings of falling trees, power outages and property damage as the brutal winds bear down.
Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said conditions had not been this intense in the state for some time.
‘We’re asking Victorians to be prepared for power outages, that means be aware of power lines that may be on the ground,’ he said.
A hot mass of air moving across the country will hit Sydney on Wednesday, with high winds and storm conditions predicted
Sydneysiders have been urged to stay hydrated and avoid strenuous activities amid the searing heat
Fire bans are in place across much of NSW including Sydney as the state braces for soaring temperatures, bringing increased risk of bushfires
‘Make sure you have charged your mobile devices tonight so that you can survive through those power outages.’
Winds are expected to pick up near the Victoria and South Australia border on Wednesday morning before heading eastwards in the early afternoon.
The brutal heat expected in Sydney follows days of record-breaking temperatures further inland.
Inland towns across the state’s north-west broke October records on Tuesday, including Tibooburra and Cobar which both soared past 42C.
The heat is also gripping the tablelands and western slopes, where temperatures are 12C to 15C above average for this time of year.
Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino expects the average NSW temperature to hit 27.1C this month, five degrees above normal levels.
Further north, inland Queensland will cool slightly but remain hot, while the state’s southeast is expected to swelter through its hottest day on Thursday.
Total fire bans are in place across much of NSW including Sydney and the Illawarra and Hunter regions as the searing conditions bringing increased risk of bushfires.
NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Trent Curtin said high fire danger was expected over the course of the day.
‘Today we’re going to see very high temperatures in the high 30s and possible low 40s across parts of NSW, combined with very strong winds that will be in the 40[km/h] range,’ he told ABC’s News Breakfast.
He added isolated gusts could reach 60km/h to 80km/h in parts of those areas.
‘We’ll see high fire danger across most of the state but extreme fire conditions across parts of the state.’
The Rural Fire Service (RFS) is requesting harvest operators immediately stop and check local weather conditions before deciding whether it is safe to continue harvesting in the Bogan, Coonamble, Walgett and Warren.
‘Use of solid fuel barbeques are banned on Total Fire Ban days, but electric and gas barbeques can be used, provided they are being directly controlled by a responsible adult and some common sense safety measures are taken,’ RFS told the Daily Mail.
‘General purpose hot works such as welding or gas cutting are not allowed in the open on Total Fire Ban days.’
The Bureau has urged residents to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activity and monitor weather warnings.
Warnings are also available through TV and radio broadcasts, the Bureau’s website at www.bom.gov.au or via phone at 1300 659 210.
