Sydney Swelters as Heatwave Fuels Bushfire Threats Across NSW
It’s been an intense start to summer here, and Sydney has just recorded its hottest day in nearly two years. As I’m talking about it now, the city is still feeling the full force of a heatwave that’s gripping much of New South Wales, pushing temperatures into the high 30s and creating the perfect conditions for dangerous bushfires.
By early Friday afternoon, the Sydney CBD had hit 37.8°C — a temperature not seen since January last year — and many western suburbs soared even higher. Places like Penrith, Richmond and Badgerys Creek pushed past 39°C, edging into the low 40s at one point. What makes this more unsettling is that the heat isn’t easing overnight. Minimums have barely dropped below the low 20s, meaning the city has stayed warm even long after sunset.
This heatwave is expected to peak on Saturday, and forecasters say temperatures could again climb above 37°C by mid-morning. If that happens, it would mark the first time since 2020 that Sydney has had consecutive days above 37°C. The conditions are being driven by hot, dry winds moving in from the west, pushing up the mercury quickly through the morning.
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But it’s not just the heat that’s causing concern. With the soaring temperatures and windy conditions, bushfire risks have surged dramatically. Firefighters across NSW and Tasmania have been battling dozens of fires, some of them dangerous and fast-moving. Near Bulahdelah on the Mid North Coast, a major blaze burned on both sides of the Pacific Highway, forcing a closure of roughly 100 kilometres. It was an emergency-level situation for part of the afternoon before conditions eased enough for it to be downgraded, though crews warned that the highway might close again.
Out near Dubbo, another fire at Beni also hit emergency status earlier in the day, threatening isolated rural properties before later being downgraded. Firefighters have been stretched thin, dealing with more than 60 active blazes across the state, and strong winds have made containment extremely challenging.
Meanwhile in Tasmania, an uncontrolled fire at Dolphin Sands has caused significant damage — nearly 20 homes, multiple outbuildings and vehicles, and dozens of power poles have been lost. Some locals there may be without electricity for a week.
With more hot, windy conditions expected and even the possibility of dry lightning on Saturday evening, authorities are urging people to stay alert. A cool change is on the way, but it’s not expected to reach Sydney until early Sunday morning.
For now, it’s a tense wait as communities brace for one more day of extreme heat and unpredictable fire behaviour.
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