Schools closed and calls for caution as NSW faces worst bushfire risk in years | Bushfires

Predictions of rising temperatures and high winds have led authorities in New South Wales to raise bushfire warnings to their highest levels in more than two years.

More than 20 public schools in central NSW were to close on Wednesday after the state’s Rural Fire Service issued a warning of major fire danger.

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The lower plains of the mid-west, including regional centers such as Dubbo, Parkes and Forbes, were bracing for peak bushfire conditions; This meant people there should consider leaving fire-risk areas and staying away from grasslands and woodlands.

No catastrophic fire danger has been predicted for any part of NSW since September 2023.

Extreme danger warnings and a total fire ban have been declared for millions of residents, including those in metropolitan Sydney, as winds exceeding 90km/h are expected in southern NSW and Victoria on Wednesday.

“[Winds are] “Hot to hot temperatures, combined with really dry weather, this increases the fire danger across the region,” said Sarah Scully from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Temperatures of up to 37C were forecast for Dubbo on Wednesday, after a maximum of 38C hit Tuesday.

A total fire ban has been imposed in a further 10 regions in NSW, including Greater Sydney, the Illawarra and the Hunter.

High fire danger was also expected in Queensland’s southern interior.

Warnings of increased bushfire danger come as the country is still reeling from a deadly start to the bushfire season.

Country Fire Brigade member and 30-year firefighter Peter Curtis died while fighting a bush fire on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia on Sunday.

Another bushfire has been burning in north-east Tasmania since Saturday, with authorities advising people in the Curries River Reservoir area to monitor conditions.