NSW Bracing As Total Fire Ban Covers Most Of State: "Catastrophic" Fire Warning In Central West

[hatrack]

NSW is bracing itself for extreme weather conditions today, with a total fire ban in place for much of the state, and a catastrophic fire warning declared in the Central West. A top of 40 degrees has been forecast for Sydney's west, with similar temperatures predicted in northern NSW and the Central West.

Catastrophic fire warnings have been issued for the Upper and Lower Central West Plains, affecting local government areas such as Gilgandra, Dubbo, Forbes, Parkes and Temora.

Extreme fire warnings are also in place for the Greater Sydney and Greater Hunter regions, the North Western region, the Central Ranges, and the Northern Slopes.

The Rural Fire Service (RFS) said that, apart from the hot weather, westerly winds of up to 50km/h were expected to trouble firefighters. "We've got some quite dangerous fire weather moving through the state," RFS spokesman Ben Shephard said.

EDIT

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/catastrophic-fire-weather-moves-through-nsw-20091208-kfs0.html

[aquart]

1. God help them all.

[Faygo Kid]

2. Wow. Stay safe, Australia.

Very bad news.

[SpiralHawk]

3. "I think I'll light up another Cuban cigar..." - Rush 'DraftDodger' Limbaugh

"While I prepare my next broadcast on climate change denial, and stuff some more Beluga caviar down my gullet before I go to deposit my corporate checks. Smirk."

- Rush '$40-million-a-year-DraftDodger' Limbaugh (R - Overpaid Corporate Propaganda Pimp)

[Dead_Parrot]

4. It's going to be a very long summer.

:(