Large swathes of NSW are set for a return to "the bad old days" of elevated bushfire risk as forecast high temperatures and strong winds cause fresh headaches for firefighters and communities.
Although fire grounds across the state have received rainfall in the past week, the NSW Rural Fire Service has warned hot temperatures and winds will on Thursday prompt an increase in fire activity.
Temperatures are expected to surpass 40C across much of the state, including parts of the south coast, Hunter, mid-north coast and Sydney.
Almost 65 fires were burning on Thursday, with 19 uncontained.
Seven NSW fire regions stretching from the Queensland border to the Victoria border are under total fire bans, including greater Sydney. All seven regions have been deemed at "severe" bushfire danger.
Air quality in Sydney on Thursday is also forecast to be poor.
"Today will be a return to the bad old days we've seen over the course of the last few months. Our appeal, of course, is for people to ensure they remain vigilant," NSW Emergency Services Minister David Elliott told reporters.
Tourists take selfies against a smoke-filled Sydney Harbour last month. Air quality in Sydney is set to plunge once again. Source: AAP
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said conditions on the ground had improved over the past week due to rainfall, but not all fire-affected communities had enjoyed a drenching.
Low humidity and very strong northwesterly winds have crews bracing on Thursday for a potentially dangerous day.
Winds could reach 55km/h, with gusts close to 100km/h.
Mr Fitzsimmons said fires on Sydney's perimeter - including the large Gospers Mountain and Green Wattle Creek fires - had the potential to deteriorate, while the NSW south coast would be closely monitored.
"In that widespread rainfall there's been different levels of rain, different amounts of rain which have had different effects," Mr Fitzsimmons said.
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons. Source: AAP
"There's every potential for flare-ups and new ignitions."
The Bureau of Meteorology on Wednesday issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds in parts of NSW's south and west.
Strong to gale-force winds were forecast to continue into Thursday.
The BOM warned Thursday's damaging winds may extend to the southern tablelands and parts of the central tablelands, the Illawarra and south coast.
The warning comes after severe thunderstorms hit Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong on Monday, leaving homes and businesses without power.
"We've got to celebrate (rainfall) with some caution. In some areas they've had remarkable results with rain - dams are filling up, it's making a difference with farmers and broader vegetation. But in other areas they're not getting that same volume, that same widespread impact," Mr Fitzsimmons said.
Firefighters are warning hot and dry conditions will bring perfect fire weather this week. Source: AAP
"We can't afford to be complacent, we've got to be careful."
With AAP...
