Sydney set for its hottest day in almost two years, total fire ban for region
Updated ,first published
As homes were lost in an out-of-control bushfire at Koolewong on the Central Coast just north of Sydney, nearby residents were urged to flee.
A second bushfire on the Mid North Coast is also believed to have destroyed at least one home as the state sweltered on its hottest day in years.
Images from the suburb of Koolewong on the southern tip of the Central Coast show a fire breaking out in steep bushland behind the train line on Saturday afternoon.
“Six homes are currently burning on the Central Coast and the thoughts of the entire region are with these families at this time,” Central Coast councilor Jared Wright said. Herald
“In times of crisis, the Central Coast community always comes together to support each other, and I know that will happen in the hours, days and weeks ahead.”
A Rural Fire Brigade spokesman said homes were believed to have been lost in the emergency level fire but they were unable to confirm the reports.
The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) issued an emergency alert for the fire just after 2pm.
The fire on Nimbin Road is rapidly moving south behind Glenroad Parade towards Lara Street and properties may be affected.
“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.
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 Buladelah. The Buladelah fire has burned more than 2,600 hectares and is yet to be 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.”
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.
In Dubbo, a fire is burning eastwards on both sides of the Golden Highway, under strong westerly winds.
“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.
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.
“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.
Working hours of the swimming spot nicknamed Pondi have been extended New facility amenities including more shade and outdoor showers is preparing for its third summer activity.
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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Eryk Bagshaw is an investigative reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. He was previously a North Asia correspondent. Reach him securely on Signal @bagshawe.01Connect with: excitement or email.
Jack Gramenz is a breaking news reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.Most Viewed on Media
