Autumnal Heatwave Brings Fire Danger to New South Wales

The autumnal heatwave in New South Wales is expected to exacerbate the fire danger in the state, with temperatures forecast to soar to the mid to high 30 degrees and low humidity on Tuesday. Ben Shepherd, of the Rural Fire Service, warned that the combination of hot and windy conditions could lead to a significant risk of new ignitions from lightning or careless behavior.

As of Tuesday morning, 34 fires were burning across NSW, with 10 yet to be brought under control. The Rural Fire Service is particularly concerned about the fire north of Hill End and two fires in the Dubbo local government area, near Burrendong and Cranbrook. Shepherd said the large bushfire in Tambaroora, north of Hill End, had already affected about 50 properties, although there were no reports of injuries or property loss.

The emergency warning for the Tambaroora fire was downgraded from an emergency warning to a watch and act on Monday, but firefighters may need to heighten the alert status once again as the conditions deteriorate. Shepherd said the fire had grown to over 2,000 hectares, making it a “broad fire perimeter” that could spread quickly if the wind picks up.

Jonathan How, a senior forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology, said the peak of the heatwave had passed, but a south-westerly change in wind direction was expected on Wednesday afternoon. He warned that the low-intensity heatwave would continue to affect part of eastern Australia for the next few days.

In Sydney, Monday’s temperatures spiked 10 to 12 degrees above average, reaching a high of 40.6C at the airport. The warm night saw temperatures drop to 22.3C at its coolest point. Tuesday is expected to be another hot day, with temperatures forecast to reach 34C in the eastern suburbs and up to 36C in western Sydney, before a cool change on Wednesday evening.

The Rural Fire Service is urging residents to remain vigilant and to be aware of the fire danger ratings in their area. With over 30 fires burning across NSW, the service is working to contain the blazes and prevent them from spreading. The community is advised to stay informed and to take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their homes from the risks associated with the fire danger.