World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Total fire ban across Sydney as heat and dry lightning raise bushfire risk
A total fire ban is in force across greater Sydney and the greater Hunter region in New South Wales.
Temperatures are forecast to reach 37C in Sydney’s west, with very hot conditions also expected from north of Newcastle to Wollongong.
The weather bureau says the hot, dry conditions and possible thunderstorms create extreme fire danger.
Little rain is expected, so lightning could start fires in parts of western and central New South Wales.
Outdoor fires, solid-fuel barbecues, grinding and welding are prohibited during the ban.
A weather change and potentially damaging winds are expected later in the afternoon.
The warning comes after Australia recorded its second-hottest September on record.
A total fire ban is in place across greater Sydney and greater Hunter as hot, dry conditions raise the risk of bushfires.
Temperatures in Sydney’s west were forecast to reach 37C, with extreme fire danger across the region.
Severe thunderstorms were expected across large parts of New South Wales, but little rain was forecast.
The NSW Rural Fire Service warned that dry lightning could start fires in western and central parts of the state.
Outdoor fires, solid fuel barbecues, grinding and welding were prohibited under the ban.
- Who
- The NSW Rural Fire Service imposed the ban and warned residents about fire danger.
- What
- A total fire ban was declared amid heat, dry conditions and the risk of dry lightning.
- When
- Monday, 12 October 2026.
- Where
- Greater Sydney and greater Hunter, in New South Wales.
- Why
- Hot, dry conditions and possible thunderstorms with little rain created extreme fire danger.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
We don’t think we’re going to see a whole lot of rain with that today, so that dry lightning starting fires out in the west and through the middle parts of NSW is going to be a real problem.
Fire danger is going to be right up today, and so people need to take care right through the day to make sure that they’re not doing anything with flames out in the open.
There’s only one clear driver of this and that’s climate change.
A total fire ban took effect across greater Sydney and greater Hunter as heat and dry conditions raised fire danger.
Severe thunderstorms were expected across large parts of New South Wales, with little rain forecast.
- Ban areas
- Greater Sydney and greater Hunter
- Forecast high
- 37C in parts of Sydney’s west
- Prohibited activities
- Outdoor fires, solid fuel barbecues, grinding and welding
- Expected hazard
- Dry lightning could start fires in western and central New South Wales
Sources
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