Extreme fire danger declared for Greater Sydney as heat and winds surge

Early on Monday, the Bureau of Meteorology placed the entire Greater Sydney metropolitan region under an extreme fire danger warning, citing a combination of high temperatures, low humidity and fresh north-westerly winds. Senior meteorologist Sarah Scully warned that the western suburbs could see temperatures of 36-37 °C, while the airport forecast a high of 35 °C. The warning also mentioned a chance of isolated thunderstorms with little rain in the afternoon.

In response, the NSW Rural Fire Service announced a total fire ban for both Greater Sydney and the Greater Hunter areas, with spokesperson Greg Allan stressing the need to avoid any open or solid fuels such as wood or charcoal. He urged residents to stay hydrated, keep cool and review their bushfire survival plans as firefighters prepared for potentially severe conditions.