NSW weather: schools closed as state faces worst bushfire risk in years amid extreme heat
Forecasts of soaring temperatures and damaging wind gusts have prompted authorities in New South Wales to raise bushfire alerts to their highest levels in more than two years.More than 20 public schools across central NSW were to be closed on Wednesday after the state’s Rural Fire Service issued a warning for catastrophic fire danger.Sign up: AU Breaking News emailThe lower central west plains – including the regional hubs of Dubbo, Parkes and Forbes – was 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 were also declared for millions of residents, including those in metropolitan Sydney, as wind gusts of more than 90km/h were 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.Temperatures up to 37C were forecast for Dubbo on Wednesday after maximums of 38C took their toll on Tuesday.Total fire bans were in place for a further 10 regions of NSW, including greater Sydney, Illawarra and the Hunter.An elevated fire danger was 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.skip past newsletter promotionSign up to Breaking News AustraliaGet the most important news as it breaksPrivacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. If you do not have an account, we will create a guest account for you on theguardian.com to send you this newsletter. You can complete full registration at any time. For more information about how we use your data see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.after newsletter promotionCountry 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 north-east Tasmania has burned since Saturday, with authorities advising people in the Curries River Reservoir area to monitor conditions.
