NSW's Emergency Services Minister David Elliott goes on holiday as fire danger ramps up again

After a brief reprieve, the bushfire danger is about to ramp up again - but a key figure in tackling the blazes has gone on holiday.

After a brief weather reprieve, the bushfire danger across large parts of Australia is about to ramp up again - but a key figure in tackling the blazes has gone on holiday.

Less than a week after Prime Minister Scott Morrison apologised for taking his family on a Christmas break to Hawaii as hundreds of fires raged across the nation, NSW's Emergency Services Minister David Elliott is taking a trip to the UK and France.

He told The Daily Telegraph he was considering cancelling his trip, but eventually decided to push ahead with it.

“Bushfire-affected communities and firefighters are always at the front of my mind during this difficult time in NSW,” Mr Elliott told the newspaper in a statement.

David Elliott is off to Europe on a family holiday.

Prisons Minister Anthony Roberts will take over in his absence.

The departure comes as the state, along with Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, prepare for the worst due to an "extreme" heatwave that's building over the coming days.

As residents in rural communities wait to see how the heatwave will affect them, the federal government has announced it will send in Australian Defence Force (ADF) reinforcements to help tackle the fires.

Sky News Meteorologist Rob Sharpe said the heatwave is currently moving through southern parts of Australia.

“Initially, winds are not going to be that strong so we’re going to see a few regions with severe fire danger on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“It’s not going to be that dangerous, but it really ramps up at the end of heatwave on Monday.”

He said that, on Monday, strong winds will “suddenly” pick up and severe heat will hit Victoria, South Australia, NSW and even Tasmania. Temperatures are set to hit the 40s on the mainland and the mid-30s in Tasmania.

In NSW alone yesterday, more than 1400 firefighters took advantage of milder conditions by back-burning to slow the spread of around 70 fires still burning across the state.

A massive shout out to 100s and 100s of volunteers that gave up their Christmas and Boxing Day to cut lines, backburn, mop up and black out. This is extremely important work to try and contain fires ahead of deteriorating weather early next week. Thank you. #NSWRFS #nswfires pic.twitter.com/TnJA46vN4i

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 26, 2019

NSW Rural Fire Service says this morning there's a "very high" fire danger rating for nine regions in the state and that 33 fires are currently uncontained.

Very high fire danger is forecast for the ACT, Greater Hunter and central and southern ranges.

Highs of 36C are expected in Canberra, while regional centres such as Mudgee, Goulburn, Tamworth, Dubbo and Griffith are set for days above 35C.

NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said firefighters had been doing “really difficult ... challenging work” in areas like the Blue Mountains and south coast.

They had been establishing containment and control lines with hand tools and machinery, and doing extensive backburning, Mr Fitzsimmons told Seven’s Sunrise this morning.

“They’ve also got aircraft that are coming in from above, and they’re lighting up using little incendiary devices to light up the landscape to help control the spread and the intensity of the fire,” he said.

Last night a crew working on the Bells Line of Road found a thirsty koala and her baby. After some water and TLC, mum...

Posted by NSW Rural Fire Service on Thursday, December 26, 2019

“Because these fires are large, they’re complex and they’re very prone to the elements, once these weather conditions turn around, we know we’re going to see increased fire activity. “So they’re just giving their all to shore up protection and trying to consolidate and contain them as much as they can.”

In South Australia, the fire in Adelaide Hills has now scorched over 25,000 hectares and firefighters are working around the clock to extinguish the blaze.

Total fire ban conditions are forecast for today and tomorrow when conditions will be both hot and windy.

Temperatures will remain high until at least Monday, ahead of a cool change that will bring wind gusts up to 50km/h along with lightning. The CFS said the deteriorating weather conditions would increase the chances of outbreaks and urged all local residents to remain vigilant.

The Federal Government said the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will increase its support to fire authorities, sending specialist personnel to help battle the blazes in NSW.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the additional support this morning, saying the deployment will include bulldozers, bulk water carriers and troops.

“We’ll continue to do everything in our power to ensure our fireys have the resources and support they need," Mr Morrison said in a statement.

“We’ve already got our Defence Forces providing helicopter search and rescue, ground transport, accommodation, meals and re-fuelling. We’ve boosted our support for water bombing planes and helicopters by $11 million."

Very High Fire Danger Rating for many parts of the state. Almost 1,300 firefighters in the field. Over 70 bush & grass fires, 33 uncontained. Deteriorating conditions forecast so discuss your bush fire survival plan & know what you'll do if fire threatens. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/3405OAa4DD

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 26, 2019

Planning will also begin for the recovery effort and the clean-up of affected areas, which could involve support from the ADF if requested, the PM said.

“Disaster recovery payments of $23 million have also flowed to affected families and businesses with more to come," he said.

“My Ministers and I remain in constant contact with our state and territory counterparts and fire chiefs and we stand ready to deliver whatever extra help they ask of us.”

The federal government has extended the Australian disaster recovery payment to the Mid-Western local government area of NSW, enabling payments of $1000 per adult and $400 per child to those worst hit by bushfires.

Meanwhile Labor leader Anthony Albanese is visiting Shoalhaven on NSW's south coast today, which has already been hit hard this bushfire season. Residents there are being told to take steps to prepare their properties ahead of the worsening conditions in the coming days. 

-- with AAP