Three killed in 'fireball' when RFS air tanker crashed in NSW

Audio has emerged of the terrified call for help made as an RFS water bomber crashed in a ball of flames while fighting fires in NSW.

Multiple fires burning in Australia’s southeast flared up on Thursday, with rising temperatures causing dangerous fire conditions across the country.

Several fires were burning at emergency warning level across NSW and the ACT, with one causing Canberra Airport to be shut down.

Here's how the day unfolded.