Total fire bans in Greater Sydney, Hunter and north west: Hot, dry and windy weather creates fire danger
Authorities have declared total fire bans across three major NSW regions, warning residents to prepare for “dangerous” conditions as heat, wind and low humidity combine to elevate fire risk.
Total fire bans have been declared across Greater Sydney, the Greater Hunter and the state’s north west as authorities warn of extreme bushfire danger driven by hot, dry and gusty winds.
The NSW Rural Fire Service confirmed the bans will come into force from midnight Monday, covering dozens of council areas including Sydney, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Maitland, Port Stephens, Cessnock, Muswellbrook, Singleton, Upper Hunter, Moree Plains, Narrabri, Walgett and Warrumbungle.
The fire danger rating has been set to extreme across all three regions.
“These are dangerous fire conditions,” the RFS said in a statement.
“Check your bush fire plan and ensure that your property is fire ready. If a fire starts, take immediate action. If you and your property are not prepared to the highest level, go to a safer location well before the fire impacts.”
Residents have also been urged to reconsider travel through high-risk bushfire areas.
It comes as 51 bush and grass fires burn across NSW on the first day of summer on Monday morning, all of which are either under control or currently being managed by firefighters.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Fire Weather Warning for the same regions, saying warm, dry conditions will combine with fresh to strong west to southwesterly winds to create “enhanced fire dangers”.
Strong wind warnings are also in effect along multiple coastal zones, including the Sydney, Illawarra, Coffs, Byron and Eden coasts.
Sydney is forecast to reach a top of 26C, with a sunny morning and a slight chance of a late shower.
Winds will turn westerly at up to 30 km/h during the middle of the day as the fire danger climbs to Extreme.
A cooler change is expected on Tuesday, with a high of 23C and mostly sunny conditions, though strong southerly winds of 25–40 km/h will keep the fire danger elevated at High.
Wednesday and Thursday will be warm and sunny with tops of 26C and 29C respectively, before temperatures climb higher toward the end of the week.
Friday is tipped to reach 33C under mostly sunny skies, while Saturday may hit 35C with the slight chance of an afternoon shower or thunderstorm.
The heat is expected to break on Sunday, dipping back to around 26C with a medium chance of showers.
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Originally published as Total fire bans in Greater Sydney, Hunter and north west: Hot, dry and windy weather creates fire danger
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