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NSW bushfires: heatwave elevates fire risk as temperatures hit more than 40C – live NSW fires: Gospers Mountain fire rages towards Mt Piper power station – live
(30 minutes later)
Severe to extreme heatwave is sweeping across Australia as firefighters continue to battle multiple blazes in New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland. Follow all the latest updates Severe to extreme heatwave is sweeping across Australia as firefighters continue to battle multiple bushfires in New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland. Follow all the latest updates
Inland NSW will feel the heat today although the heatwave has not yet made it to the coast (for now).
It is forecast to to reach 40C in Bourke and Brewarrina, 41C in Wilcannia, 39C in Broken Hill, 40C in Menindee, 37C in Tamworth and 36C in Albury.
It will be 33C in Canberra.
The forecast for SA later this week is frightening.
Oodnadatta will hit 47C on Wednesday and stay like that until Friday.
Port Augusta will reach 47C on Thursday, and Wudinna 48C. On Friday Port Augusta and Whyalla will rise to 48C .
Meanwhile Adelaide will experience highs of 42C, 41C and 44C on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
In NSW, the huge Gospers Mountain megafire which covers more than 400,000 hectares is burning within 6km of the Mount Piper power station, the Western Advocate reports.
Now that the dust and mercury have settled, we can confirm that various heat records were smashed on Monday across the country.Now that the dust and mercury have settled, we can confirm that various heat records were smashed on Monday across the country.
Yesterday Perth posted a maximum of 40.9C. This made it three days in a row above 40C for the WA capital, the first time in December since records began.Yesterday Perth posted a maximum of 40.9C. This made it three days in a row above 40C for the WA capital, the first time in December since records began.
The average maximum temperature for Perth this month is an astonishing 36C, 7C above average.The average maximum temperature for Perth this month is an astonishing 36C, 7C above average.
And it was also the fourth day over 40C day in December, setting another record. The previous record was two, and there are still 14 days in the month to go.And it was also the fourth day over 40C day in December, setting another record. The previous record was two, and there are still 14 days in the month to go.
In Queensland the temperature in Brisbane hit 41.2C by midday. That equalled the previous record for the city’s hottest day, set in 1981.In Queensland the temperature in Brisbane hit 41.2C by midday. That equalled the previous record for the city’s hottest day, set in 1981.
In Gatton in the Lockyer Valley, a record did fall. The top of 43.2C was the hottest December temperature recorded there, beating the previous record which was set on Saturday. Before that the record had stood since 2002.In Gatton in the Lockyer Valley, a record did fall. The top of 43.2C was the hottest December temperature recorded there, beating the previous record which was set on Saturday. Before that the record had stood since 2002.
In Oakey, Beerburrum and Nambour, temperatures also exceeded the previous December record, the Bureau of Meteorology said.In Oakey, Beerburrum and Nambour, temperatures also exceeded the previous December record, the Bureau of Meteorology said.
And the big news from this morning: a coalition of 29 former fire and emergency chiefs say they will go ahead and hold a bushfire crisis summit with or without Scott Morrison.And the big news from this morning: a coalition of 29 former fire and emergency chiefs say they will go ahead and hold a bushfire crisis summit with or without Scott Morrison.
Last week a former NSW fire chief, Greg Mullins, and a former Queensland fire chief, Lee Johnson, called for the national summit on how Australia should prepare for bushfires in a changed climate.Last week a former NSW fire chief, Greg Mullins, and a former Queensland fire chief, Lee Johnson, called for the national summit on how Australia should prepare for bushfires in a changed climate.
Earlier this year the fire chiefs had asked to meet the prime minister, but said their advice had been ignored. The group is calling for action on the climate crisis which has made bushfire season longer and more intense.Earlier this year the fire chiefs had asked to meet the prime minister, but said their advice had been ignored. The group is calling for action on the climate crisis which has made bushfire season longer and more intense.
Here’s the fire map for NSW. A quiet morning, with all fires are at advice. But yesterday the commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, warned that conditions will deteriorate – and fires will flare up – as the heat kicks in.Here’s the fire map for NSW. A quiet morning, with all fires are at advice. But yesterday the commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, warned that conditions will deteriorate – and fires will flare up – as the heat kicks in.
Good morning and welcome to our continuing coverage of the bushfire crisis.Good morning and welcome to our continuing coverage of the bushfire crisis.
The heatwave that settled over Australia yesterday bringing above-40C temperatures to Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland is set to continue and slowly move east.The heatwave that settled over Australia yesterday bringing above-40C temperatures to Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland is set to continue and slowly move east.
Today Adelaide is forecast to hit 40C and Port Augusta 45C. In WA, Perth will peak at 33C, and the Kimberley and Pilbara will reach 44C. In Queensland, Birdsville will hit 46C, and in NSW, Wilcannia will reach 41C.Today Adelaide is forecast to hit 40C and Port Augusta 45C. In WA, Perth will peak at 33C, and the Kimberley and Pilbara will reach 44C. In Queensland, Birdsville will hit 46C, and in NSW, Wilcannia will reach 41C.
Overnight three fires in NSW that had flared to emergency levels (Gospers Mountain, Palmers Oaky and Kerry Ridge) were downgraded to watch and act, and further downgraded to advice, thanks to the work of the RFS.Overnight three fires in NSW that had flared to emergency levels (Gospers Mountain, Palmers Oaky and Kerry Ridge) were downgraded to watch and act, and further downgraded to advice, thanks to the work of the RFS.
In WA, the fire north of Yanchep was also downgraded after it had burned at emergency levels all day across 13,000 hectares.In WA, the fire north of Yanchep was also downgraded after it had burned at emergency levels all day across 13,000 hectares.