NSW faces an extremely bad fire risk day tomorrow. Thought I'd start a thread now to monitor events leading up to and throughout the main danger period.
This from Weatherzone:
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NSW faces 'worst ever' fire danger day
Monday January 7, 2013 - 15:22 EDT
A total state-wide fire ban will be imposed in New South Wales from midnight as authorities prepare for temperatures to soar above 40 degrees.
The fire danger in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and southern ranges is expected to be catastrophic, with many other areas expecting extreme danger levels.
Premier Barry O'Farrell says record rains have produced large fuel loads which increase the risk of fire, combined with record temperatures and high winds.
"Tomorrow is not going to be just another ordinary day," he said.
"Tomorrow will be perhaps the worst fire danger day this state has ever faced."
More than 90 fires are burning across the state; around 20 of those are not being controlled.
Thousands of firefighters and about 70 aircraft have been placed on standby.
Mr O'Farrell has warned Sydneysiders they will not be spared from the heat.
"If Sydney reaches 43 tomorrow, it will only be the third time in the history of record keeping that the temperature in Sydney has been that high," he said.
The Premier says people must have their bushfire survival plans in place, as complacency could cost lives.
Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says people should be alert to any danger.
"They need to monitor their local conditions," he said.
"They need to listen to radio, they need to watch TV, they need to refer to the website, they need to access social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter, do not rely on one source for all your information."
The Commissioner says people camping and holidaying on the state's south coast, especially around Nowra, should re-think their plans tonight before the catastrophic conditions take hold.
"They are the sorts of decisions that should be made, to cut that trip early this evening or, at the latest, pack up and be out on the road first thing tomorrow morning," he said.
The NSW Ambulance Service is warning people to take care during tomorrow's predicted heatwave.
Acting Chief Superintendent Ian Johns says the heat will be particularly bad for the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions.
He says everyone should plan to drink plenty of water.
"The paramedics tomorrow will be ensuring that their vehicles have plenty of intravenous fluid, also plenty of bottled water too," he said.
"But whilst we can come to you once you're ill, the plan and the message is prepare yourself so you don't require our services.
"Drink water and plan your day's activities."
Health Department spokesman Dr Richard Broome says it is important to postpone any unnecessary activities.
"Hot weather and heat puts a great deal of strain on the body," he said.
"In order to keep cool we have to pump blood to the skin, and people who are old or have chronic diseases, their heart might not work quite so well and the strain can precipitate illness like heart attacks."