Firefighters in New South Wales, Australia are currently battling a total of 69 separate fires, with nearly 24 of them being classified as out-of-control. Reports indicate that over 1,000 hectares of land have already been destroyed by the fires, aggravated by high winds and scorching temperatures in the region.
A severe fire danger warning has been issued for extensive areas in the state due to soaring temperatures, reaching a peak of 44.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology noted some of the highest temperatures in NSW in six years, with regional centers like Gosford and Dubbo experiencing record-breaking heat since 2020 when devastating bushfires ravaged the state.
As daylight fades on Sunday in Australia, there are still 60 active fires burning across New South Wales. Evacuated residents of Koolewong on the NSW Central Coast have started returning to assess the damage caused by the fires. The Nimbin Road fire in Koolewong resulted in the destruction of 16 houses and damage to nine others, along with seven non-residential buildings.
Local residents returned to scenes of ashes and charred belongings, with helicopters conducting waterbombing operations nearby. Firefighters and assessment teams are on-site, evaluating the aftermath of the blaze which consumed over 129 hectares and is now under control.
In another region, a fire in NSW’s Hunter Valley has been contained, with the threat level reduced as conditions improve following a southerly change. The fire, north of Redhead, has already scorched more than 64 hectares, with aerial and ground crews working to manage the situation.
Dry lightning poses a new threat to parts of New South Wales, prompting a warning from the NSW Rural Fire Service as conditions deteriorate. Severe thunderstorms are forecast to bring damaging winds and hail, potentially intensifying the bushfire risk with dry lightning strikes.
State Premier Chris Minns declared a state of natural disaster for significant parts of NSW, with approximately 16 homes lost due to the fires. Superintendent Ben Shepherd of the NSW Rural Fire Service reported that over 1,500 firefighters are actively engaged in firefighting efforts statewide, with challenging conditions expected to persist into the coming week.