Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Sydney Heatwave Raises Extreme Bushfire Risk During Spring
Sydney became unusually hot during spring on Saturday.
Temperatures were expected to reach 33°C.
That is almost 13 degrees hotter than normal for this time of year.
Strong, gusty winds and dry weather made fires easier to start and spread.
Fire authorities therefore banned people from lighting fires.
They called the fire danger “extreme,” which is the second-highest danger level.
A strong El Niño weather pattern is helping make southern Australia hotter and drier.
The report also said climate change is making extreme heat and fire weather more common in Australia.
Sydney was forecast to reach 33°C on Saturday, nearly 13°C above its average temperature.
A total fire ban was issued across Sydney as authorities rated bushfire danger “extreme.”
Gusty northwesterly winds, dry conditions and unusual warmth increased fire danger across Greater Sydney.
The heat was linked partly to a powerful El Niño pattern expected to bring hotter, drier spring conditions.
Climate change is making extreme heat and fire weather more common in Australia, according to the report.
- Who
- Sydney residents, Australia’s national weather forecaster and state fire authorities were involved.
- What
- A spring heat spell brought extreme bushfire danger and prompted a total fire ban.
- When
- Saturday, September 5; the report does not specify the year.
- Where
- Sydney and the wider Greater Sydney Region in New South Wales, Australia.
- Why
- Hot, dry conditions combined with strong northwesterly winds, while a powerful El Niño pattern was contributing to hotter and drier spring weather.
- Forecast high
- 33°C (91.4°F) in Sydney
- Difference from average
- Nearly 13°C above average
- Fire danger rating
- Extreme, the second-highest danger rating
- Fire restriction
- A total fire ban was issued for Sydney
- Airport temperature
- 28.6°C at 11:30 a.m. local time
- Population
- Sydney is home to about 5.6 million people
- Weather pattern
- A powerful El Niño pattern was driving hotter and drier conditions across southern Australia