Thousands of people are facing the worst wildfires since 2023 as high temperatures and howling winds fuel fears of major blazes.
Forecasts of rising temperatures and damaging winds have prompted authorities to raise the bushfire alert to the highest level in more than two years.
More than 20 public schools in central NSW will close on Wednesday after the state’s Rural Fire Service issued a catastrophic fire danger warning.
The Lower Central West Plains – including the regional hubs of Dubbo, Parkes and Forbes – are preparing for the highest level of bushfires, meaning people there should consider leaving fire hazard areas and staying out of paddocks and bushland.
As of September 2023, no region in NSW has predicted a catastrophic fire risk.
Extreme danger warnings and a total fire ban have also been issued for millions of residents, including those in metropolitan Sydney, as gusts of more than 90km/h are expected in southern NSW and Victoria on Wednesday.
“(Winds are) bringing warm to hot temperatures and really dry air and that increases the fire danger across the region,” said Sarah Scully from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Temperatures of up to 37 degrees are forecast for Dubbo on Wednesday, after highs of 38 degrees took their toll on Tuesday.
Total burn bans are in place for a further ten regions of NSW, including greater Sydney, Illawarra and the Hunter.
Increased fire danger is also forecast in southern inland Queensland.
The warnings of increased wildfire danger come as the country is still reeling from a deadly start to the wildfire season.
Country Fire Service member and 30-year-old firefighter Peter Curtis died on Sunday while battling a bush fire on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula.
Another bushfire has been burning in Tasmania’s northeast since Saturday, with authorities advising people in the Curries River Reservoir area to monitor conditions.
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