NSW fire ban, bushfire updates: Catastrophic warning issued as extreme heat, dry conditions and winds approach
Scroll down for updates and information.
Max Corstorphan is reporting live.
Fire danger closes 25 NSW public schools
The catastrophic fire danger has forced the NSW Government to close 25 schools across the state.
FULL LIST: Ariah Park Central School, Barellan Central School, Bedgerabong Public School, Binya Public School, Bogan Gate Public School, Boree Creek Public School, Caragabal Public School, Ganmain Public School, Greenethorpe Public School, Lake Wyangan Public School, Lowesdale Public School, Marrar Public School, Matong Public School, Naradhan Public School, Narrandera East Infants School, Narrandera High School, Pleasant Hills Public School, Tallimba Public School, Tharbogang Public School, The Rock Central School, Ungarie Central School, Wamoon Public School, Weethalle Public School, Whitton-Murrami Public School and Yerong Creek Public School are closed on Wednesday.
The NSW Department of Education is publishing updates on its website.
Rules for total fire ban
Across NSW, 11 regions have a total fire ban in place for Wednesday.
The NSW Government and NSW RFS say this means no fires out in the open.
“During a Total Fire Ban, you cannot light, maintain or use a fire in the open, or carry out any activity in the open that causes, or is likely to cause, a fire,” the RFS says.
“General purpose hot works (such as welding, grinding or gas cutting or any activity that produces a spark or flame) are not to be done in the open.
“The NSW RFS strongly recommends you reconsider activities such as using a tractor or slashing, to help reduce the chance of a fire starting on your property.”
Total fire bans for 11 regions in NSW, other states on alert
Temperatures up to 37 degrees are forecast for Dubbo on Wednesday after maximums of 38 degrees took their toll on Tuesday.
Total fire bans are in place for a further 10 regions of NSW, including greater Sydney, Illawarra and the Hunter.
An elevated fire danger is also forecast in the southern interior of Queensland.
The warnings of increased bushfire danger come as the country is still reeling from a deadly start to bushfire season.
Country Fire Service member and 30-year firefighter Peter Curtis died on Sunday while battling a scrub fire on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia.
Another bushfire in northeast Tasmania has burned since Saturday, with authorities advising people in the Curries River Reservoir area to monitor conditions.
Worst bushfire risk in years prompts calls for caution
Forecasts of soaring temperatures and damaging wind gusts have prompted authorities to raise bushfire alerts to their highest levels in more than two years.
More than 20 public schools across central NSW will close on Wednesday after the state’s Rural Fire Service issued a warning for catastrophic fire danger.
The Lower Central West Plains - including the regional hubs of Dubbo, Parkes and Forbes - is bracing for the highest level of bushfire conditions, meaning people there should consider leaving fire risk areas and stay out of paddocks and bushland.
No region of NSW has had a catastrophic fire danger forecast since September 2023.
Extreme danger warnings and total fire bans have also been declared for millions of residents, including those in metropolitan Sydney, as wind gusts of more than 90km/h are expected on Wednesday in southern NSW and Victoria.
“(Winds are) combining with warm to hot temperatures and really dry air and that is elevating fire dangers across the region,” the Bureau of Meteorology’s Sarah Scully said.
