Record-breaking heatwave set to elevate NSW’s fire risk

Firefighters are taking advantage of favourable conditions before the state swelters through a record-breaking heatwave with the mercury set to top 45C in some parts of the state.

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Firefighters are bracing for difficult conditions in coming days with a potentially record-breaking heatwave set to move across the state.

As conditions on firegrounds across NSW eased on Monday evening firefighters began desperately working on containment lines and to protect homes.

More than 1800 firefighters worked through the night to bring more than a hundred fires burning across NSW to advice level as they prepare for sweltering conditions later in the week.

Firefighters worked through the night to get ahead before conditions worsen later this week. Pictures: Bill Hearne

Meteorologist Dr. Adam Morgan gives us an update on the heatwave conditions sweeping from west to east through the week.

Check your local forecast here: https://t.co/sk7O7aBoDP pic.twitter.com/VSU0nnyuBw

— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) December 16, 2019

Daytime temperatures in NSW are expected to exceed 40C from Tuesday through to Saturday, while in the western half of the state the mercury is set to soar over 45C.

The sweltering temperatures are likely to break numerous December and all time temperature records, according to Dr Adam Morgan, meteorologist at the Bureau of Metereology.

“We may even approach or exceed Australia’s warmest day with nationwide temperatures at 43 degrees - the same levels as back in 2013,” he said.

Red hot temperatures are expected in Sydney and across NSW. Picture: BSCH

NSW is bracing for a heatwave later in the week. The conditions will spark increased fire danger.

Temperatures will creep into the 40s in the far-western parts of NSW but the weather will be fine and 25 in Sydney before climbing to 35 on Wednesday and increasing through the week.

Saturday will be the hottest day of the week with Penrith in Sydney’s west expecting temperatures as high as 46 degrees and Sydney set to hit around 37.

The heatwave conditions are expected to bring increased fire dangers across the state.

A mega-fire near the Blue Mountains yesterday destroyed scores of homes. Firefighters are being warned of worsening conditions later in the week. Picture: NSW RFS

A bushfire burning at Gospers Mountain, northwest of Sydney, was downgraded to “advice” again on Tuesday morning after up to 20 buildings were feared destroyed when firefighters lost control of a backburn on Sunday.

Firefighters battled to contain a fire in St Mary’s in Sydney’s west that is thought to have been deliberately lit.

NSW Fire Brigade and the NSW Bushfire brigade have been called to Dunheved Circuit, St Marys after a large amount of bush was found to be alight. Pictures: Bill Hearne

Total fire bans are in place on Tuesday for the northwestern and northern regions where the fire danger rating will be “very high”.

Along with six adjoining blazes the bushfire has been dubbed a “mega-blaze” and has burned through more than half a million hectares.

The Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre warned that NSW is facing a long and challenging fire season ahead after its unprecedented start.

Thousands of buildings - including hundreds of homes - have been destroyed in the unprecedented bushfire season.

With 2019 registering the second-hottest and driest January-to-November period for Australia, the centre warned the combination of severely dry conditions, high temperatures and low humidity was behind the dangerous fire season. The entire eastern third of NSW is facing an above-normal fire potential into 2020.

Already 724 homes, 49 facilities and 1582 outbuildings have been destroyed so far this fire season. Six people have died and 2.7 million hectares have been scorched.