Spring has sprung … and the soaring temperatures have meant a busy start to the bushfire season. A total fire ban was in place across much of New South Wales yesterday, as dry and hot conditions combined to create severe fire weather and fierce winds fanned the flames.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that about 50 grass, scrub and bushfires have burned across the state. The NSW Rural Fire Service was able to contain most of the blazes but a scrub fire in Budderoo National Park, near Kiama, is reportedly still burning out of control.
Crews have been using water-bombing aircraft to contain the fire, which was burning in inaccessible terrain. A fast-moving grass fire at the Snowy River, which burned out 200 hectares, also caused major concern.
The State Emergency Service received 100 calls, with at least half coming from residents around the Jindabyne area at the foot of the Snowy Mountains. The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting the extremely strong winds to continue much of the state today. Cooler conditions are expected tomorrow.
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