NSW: Firefighters on alert ahead of soaring temperatures
20 Jan 2009 10:47 AM
SYDNEY, Jan 20 AAP - Firefighters are on alert ahead of soaring temperatures and strong winds forecast for south-western NSW later on Tuesday and for the rest of the week, with residents warned to have plans ready if bushfires break out.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a fire weather warning and a total fire ban is in place in the Riverina region and the state's south-west.
Temperatures are expected to soar into the high 30s and early 40s in those areas and into the mid to high 30s throughout the rest of NSW.
"In a portion of the state, particularly from the southern slopes towards the border of Victoria and South Australia there's a total fire ban today," a Rural Fire Service (RFS) spokesman said on Tuesday.
"Later in the week we're expecting high to very high fire danger across a lot of the state and we'll be experiencing north-westerly winds in the latter half of the week (as well as) higher temperatures overnight and during the day.
"So it's the case that a lot of the state is at high risk of bushfires this week."
High fire danger warnings are in place across NSW with the risk level expected to escalate from Wednesday with the onset of strong north-westerly winds.
Volunteer firefighters have been placed on alert all week.
"In terms of resourcing we're on alert this week given the conditions and we'll be waiting to see what they bring," the spokesman said.
"A lot of crews will be ready to go and in terms of response times they will still be very quick."
Albury is preparing to sizzle in 39 degree temperatures while Griffith and Deniliquin will experience highs of 40 degrees.
In Sydney's west, temperatures are expected to reach up to 36 on Tuesday before climbing to 39 by Saturday.
The RFS has issued warnings to people in bushfire-prone areas to secure their homes and decide early whether they are going to stay and fight the blaze, or get out early if their homes come under threat.
The Red Cross has released a booklet to help communities deal with disasters and emergencies, with their figures showing 24 people have died annually in Australia due to natural disasters since 2000.
The booklet encourages residents to be more self-reliant so households and communities can begin the recovery process faster. Copies are available from www.redcross.org.au
Residents can also visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au to learn about developing their own bushfire emergency plan.
