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SYDNEY - Firefighters will take advantage of expected cooler conditions today to work on containing bushfires across New South Wales before temperatures soar tomorrow.
Crews are battling against the clock to restrict blazes in the Blue Mountains, the Hunter Valley and the Hawkesbury Valley ahead of a heatwave forecast for later this week.
Meteorologists have warned that temperatures will reach the mid 30s and humidity will drop below 20 per cent tomorrow, although previously forecast strong winds are now not expected.
Temperatures in Penrith, at the foot of the Blue Mountains, are predicted to peak at 29C today, before averaging 35.6C until Saturday -- including a sweltering 39C on Wednesday.
The NSW Rural Fire Service said more than 120 firefighters and nine aircraft would continue reinforcing containment lines around the Blue Mountains bushfire today.
The blaze has burnt out about 15,000ha of bushland but is not currently threatening any properties.
Only the lower and upper central west plains regions are currently subject to a total fire ban by RFS commissioner Phil Koperberg, but statewide bans could follow if temperatures rise as predicted.
The RFS is urging residents of areas affected by the bushfires to take advantage of the cooler weather to prepare their properties for the summer bushfire season.
- AAP
