Sydney Faces Total Fire Ban as Temperatures Soar to 37°C Amid Dry Lightning Threat

A total fire ban has been imposed across Greater Sydney, with forecasts predicting temperatures to climb to 37°C in the western suburbs.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned that Sydney is facing extreme fire danger, driven by hot, dry weather and the prospect of thunderstorms that are expected to bring minimal rain.

The bureau noted that temperatures on Monday would be well above average, with Mount Druitt expected to reach 37°C around 2 p.m.

Across the region from north of Newcastle to Wollongong, temperatures are expected to stay between 34°C and 36°C, before a shift later in the afternoon that may bring damaging winds.

Angus Hines, a senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, said it is certainly one of the hottest days in recent months.

He added that, if the forecast holds, Monday’s peak temperature would be about 10 to 11 degrees above the October average for Sydney.

A 37°C peak would mark Sydney’s hottest day since February.

The NSW Rural Fire Service confirmed that the total fire ban covers Greater Sydney and the Hunter region, prohibiting outdoor fires, solid‑fuel barbecues, and activities such as grinding and welding.

Trent Curtin, commissioner of the NSW RFS, told ABC Radio that fire danger will remain high today, urging the public to avoid any open‑flame activities throughout the day.

He noted that severe thunderstorms are expected across large parts of New South Wales.

He added that little rain is anticipated with those storms, meaning dry lightning could ignite fires in western and central NSW, posing a serious threat.

Curtin said the RFS has made substantial progress this year on hazard‑reduction burns, thanks to favorable conditions.

He explained that the improved conditions have allowed the service to conduct more hazard‑reduction work than in previous years, ensuring every opportunity is used.

Federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain announced on Monday the rollout of the AusAlert system.

The system enables compatible phones to sound an alarm and deliver a text alert when an emergency occurs nearby; so far, only Victoria and Western Australia have joined the initiative.

McBain told ABC Television that the system will provide far better protection for communities facing disasters.

She added that the near‑real‑time alerts, which are not dependent on any single telecommunications provider, represent a genuine game‑changer for emergency management.

Monday’s extreme heat follows Australia’s second‑hottest September on record, a trend driven by a strengthening El Niño; the bureau noted that average temperatures for September ranked among the top five for every state.

Climate scientist Dr Linden Ashcroft stated earlier this month that climate change is the sole clear driver of the current heat.

Angus Hines said El Niño is likely to push both maximum and minimum temperatures higher over the coming months, forecasting many hot days ahead.

He added that there is still plenty of summer remaining.

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