Total fire ban declared for Sydney as temperatures near 37C and dry lightning raises bushfire risk
A total fire ban is in force on Monday across greater Sydney and the Hunter region in Australia's New South Wales state, with heat of up to 37C forecast. Fire officials warn that thunderstorms with little rain could spark bushfires.
Authorities in the Australian state of New South Wales have declared a total fire ban across greater Sydney and the greater Hunter region on Monday, 12 October. Hot, dry conditions and the chance of thunderstorms have combined to create extreme fire danger.
The Bureau of Meteorology, Australia's national weather agency, said temperatures would be well above average. In Sydney's west, including the suburb of Mount Druitt, 37C is predicted around 2pm. From north of Newcastle down to Wollongong, temperatures should sit between 34C and 36C. A change is expected later in the afternoon, potentially bringing damaging winds.
What is prohibited
The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) said the ban prohibits outdoor fires, solid fuel barbecues and activities such as grinding and welding.
RFS commissioner Trent Curtin told ABC radio that fire danger was very high and people should avoid anything involving open flames throughout the day. He said severe thunderstorms were expected across large parts of the state, but not much rain. Dry lightning starting fires in the west and central parts of NSW, he said, would be a real problem.
Curtin added that favourable conditions this year had allowed the service to carry out more hazard reduction burning than in previous years.
Emergency alert system
Kristy McBain, Australia's federal emergency management minister, used Monday to promote the rollout of the AusAlert system. Compatible phones sound an alarm and receive a text message when an emergency is nearby. So far only two states, Victoria and Western Australia, have signed on. McBain described near real-time messages that do not depend on any single telecom provider as a game changer for emergency management.
Warm September
Monday's heat follows Australia's second-hottest September on record, driven by a strengthening El Niño. The bureau said average temperatures ranked among the five warmest Septembers for every state. Climate scientist Dr Linden Ashcroft said earlier this month that there was only one clear driver: climate change.
