Thousands of people are facing the most severe bushfire danger conditions since 2023 as high temperatures and howling winds spark fears of major blazes.
Forecasts of soaring temperatures and damaging wind gusts have prompted authorities to raise bushfire alerts to their highest levels in more than two years.
More than 20 public schools across central NSW will close on Wednesday after the state's Rural Fire Service issued a warning for catastrophic fire danger.
The Lower Central West Plains — including the regional hubs of Dubbo, Parkes and Forbes — is bracing for the highest level of bushfire conditions, meaning people there should consider leaving fire risk areas and stay out of paddocks and bushland.
No region of NSW has had a catastrophic fire danger forecast since September 2023.
Extreme danger warnings and total fire bans have also been declared for millions of residents, including those in metropolitan Sydney, as wind gusts of more than 90km/h are expected on Wednesday in southern NSW and Victoria.
"(Winds are) combining with warm to hot temperatures and really dry air and that is elevating fire dangers across the region," the Bureau of Meteorology's Sarah Scully said.
Temperatures up to 37 degrees are forecast for Dubbo on Wednesday after maximums of 38 degrees took their toll on Tuesday.
Total fire bans are in place for a further 10 regions of NSW, including greater Sydney, Illawarra and the Hunter.
An elevated fire danger is also forecast in the southern interior of Queensland.
The warnings of increased bushfire danger come as the country is still reeling from a deadly start to bushfire season.
Country Fire Service member and 30-year firefighter Peter Curtis died on Sunday while battling a scrub fire on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia.
Another bushfire in northeast Tasmania has burned since Saturday, with authorities advising people in the Curries River Reservoir area to monitor conditions.
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