Others have called the display disrespectful to the people, including firefighters, who have died in the past few months and those who continue to fight the fires. Commentators on social media said they were in disbelief that the fireworks were going ahead. One called the move "utter madness".
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Other people, however, say it is a much-needed event given what is happening in the country. One woman said it would offer hope to all those watching it.
As the fireworks are being prepared in Sydney, high temperatures and strong winds are making it difficult to tackle the bush fires around the country - including on the outskirts of Sydney.
Temperatures have exceeded 40C in every state in Australia.
In New South Wales, news broke last night that a volunteer firefighter had died when a fire truck rolled in extreme winds as a crew battled the Green Valley fire, about 70km east of Albury.
Two other firefighters suffered burns in the accident.
The latest firefighter death follows those of Geoffrey Keaton, 32, and Andrew O'Dwyer, 36 the week before Christmas.
The men were killed when the vehicle they were in rolled off a road southwest of Sydney.
In Victoria, about 30,000 residents and tourists have been urged to flee the popular holiday region East Gippsland.
Up to 13 emergency alerts were in place this morning for out-of-control fires in Victoria.
