NSW: More than a dozen bushfires being contained
21 Jan 2009 9:04 AM
SYDNEY, Jan 21 AAP - More than a dozen bushfires are being contained or monitored in outer Sydney and throughout NSW ahead of another sweltering day forecast for the state.
Authorities have warned of a high bushfire risk after crews worked on Tuesday to contain several small blazes across Sydney.
The south west of the state is again expected to bake under temperatures of more than 40 degrees celsius as the heatwave shows no signs of letting up.
A total fire ban is still in place for the eastern Riverina region.
The Bureau of Meteorology says there is a very high or extreme fire danger in the region with hot, dry and windy conditions forecast.
Thunderstorms and tops of 38 degrees are expected in Sydney's west with temperatures in the high 30s expected to last until Saturday.
A Rural Fire Service spokesman said all existing fires had been contained or patrolled.
"It should be hot today and there's a chance of a thunderstorm later in the day," he said on Wednesday.
"The thunderstorms may bring lightning activity that can cause fires, but it just depends on conditions."
He said the eastern Riverina and surrounding areas were still classified as a high to very high bushfire risk.
"We're expecting late thunderstorms through Sydney which would bring a certain amount of lightning activity and maybe some rain," he said.
