Heatwave and bushfires in New South Wales

Total fire bans declared for parts of NSW and SA as temperatures soar

Sydney and surrounds expected to reach up to 43C, while very hazardous fire conditions are predicted for South Australia’s northwest pastoral and Flinders districts

the Guardian,

23 November, 2014

Hundreds of firefighters are on standby across NSW as temperatures soar and total fire bans cover much of the state.

Sydney is forecast to reach the mid- to high-30s on Sunday while Penrith and Richmond could tip 43C by mid-afternoon.

Singleton in the Hunter region is heading for a maximum of 44C, and in the central west, Dubbo is set for 42C while Mudgee could reach 41C.

A total fire ban is in place for parts of NSW, including for the Sydney, Hunter, Illawarra, Southern Ranges and central regions.

The fire danger will range from very high to severe for those areas.

At 10am on Sunday, 34 fires were burning around NSW – eight of which were uncontained.

However, no properties were under threat.

A NSW rural fire service spokesman said more than 200 firefighters were battling blazes, with hundreds more “ready to go”.

A southerly change is forecast to hit the state’s south coast from 2pm. It should reach Sydney around 8pm.

Total fire bans have also been issued for parts of South Australia on Sunday.

The Country Fire Service has declared the bans in the northwest pastoral and Flinders districts, predicting very hazardous fire weather conditions.

The ban will apply until midnight on Sunday.

The CFS advises residents to implement their bushfire survival plans.

Firefighters are battling a large bushfire in southern Queensland, that’s been burning for three days.

The blaze has been burning just off the New England highway at Wyberba, south of Stanthorpe near the Queensland-NSW border, since Friday.

A Queensland fire and emergency services spokesman says crews have been conducting aerial checks and liaising with property owners.

However, the fire is in inaccessible bushland and isn’t posing any threat to property, he said.

“A large smoke haze is visible in the area and residents are advised to close windows and doors and keep medication on hand if suffering from a respiratory illness,” the spokesman said.

The Bureau of Meteorology recordings showed temperatures had pushed past 30C at Stanthorpe by 9am, with a maximum of 34C predicted.