Sydney set for its hottest day in almost two years, total fire ban for region
“Embers will be blown long distances from the main fire front, starting spot fires, which can affect your home earlier than the main fire front,” the RFS warned.
Fire in Koolewong on Saturday afternoon.Credit: Angus Dalton
Residents were asked to flee if the road to Woy Woy was open.
“Do not wait. Roads may be closed or access changed, smoke may reduce visibility,” warned the Fires Near Me app, run by the RFS.
Those who cannot go out are asked to protect themselves from the heat of the fire.
“Take immediate action to protect yourself and your family. Conditions can deteriorate quickly. Leaving at the last minute is fatal,” the advice reads.
It is not yet clear how many homes or structures are affected.
There are reports that at least one house has also been damaged by bushfire near the Mid North Coast town of Bulahdelah. The Bulahdelah fire has burned more than 2,600 hectares and has not yet been brought under control.
Train services have been suspended between Gosford and the Hawkesbury River and Newcastle Line on the Central Coast as firefighters battle the Koolewong fire, which the RFS says is “contained”.
The fire also affected traffic along the Pacific Highway, Wright said.
“Smoke from the bushfire can be seen for miles; residents in suburbs as far away as Empire Bay have been sending me photos of a thick smoke cloud.”
Passengers stranded at Woy Woy station. Credit: Angus Dalton
While the temperature on Observatory Hill reached 33 degrees at 12.30, the temperature in Sydney Olympic Park exceeded 40 degrees and dropped to 32 degrees at 15.20. Temperatures were expected to rise to 39 degrees in Sydney CBD and 41 degrees in Penrith by 3pm; temperatures marked Sydney’s warmest day since January 2024.
A total fire ban is in place as the Rural Fire Service works to contain the fire in Bulahdelah
As the Rural Fire Service brings the 8600-hectare blaze under control, residents near the Goulburn River National Park in the Upper Hunter are also being asked to be prepared.
Members of the Singh, Boparai and Hoju families of Penrith Beach.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
In Dubbo, a fire is burning eastwards on both sides of the Golden Highway, under strong westerly winds.
People spend hot afternoons at the Macallum Seawater pool.Credit: Oscar Colman
“Fire activity is likely to increase today – residents should be prepared to take action,” the Rural Fire Service said in a statement on Saturday morning.
Smoke from the fires drifted across Sydney and the Central Coast, covering the city in a light haze.
The heatwave will cause inconvenience to passengers forced to take replacement buses on the Sydney metro as Transport NSW carries out track work on one of the busiest sections of the line between Chatswood and Sydenham.
People on the pier at Clifton Gardens.Credit: Oscar Colman
Tube services between Chatswood, Epping, the CBD and Sydenham will be replaced by trains this weekend. On the T4 Eastern Suburban Line, line work is planned to be carried out with buses to replace trains between Central and Bondi Junction.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s Tristan Sumarna said the heat was driven by a high-pressure system entering the Tasman Sea.
“It’s moving a little bit slow, so it’s bringing a steady wind from the northwest,” Sumarna said.
Raphael eats ice cream on Penrith Beach. Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
“This brings a warm, dry, continental air mass from central Australia to our part of the world, which increases temperatures and also lowers relative humidity.”
Sydneysiders flocked to the water again on Saturday, including Penrith Beach, which opened a day earlier than planned.
Rozema siblings Ava, 9, and Eli, 7, from Penrith, are taking advantage of Penrith Beach’s early opening. Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
The swimming spot, nicknamed Pondi, has had its opening hours extended with new on-site amenities such as more shade and outdoor showers in preparation for its third summer of operation.
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The City of Sydney has also made entry to all aquatic centers free on Saturday as part of its summer open day.
A sharp cold change is expected to drop the mercury to as low as 26 degrees on Sunday.
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