Sydney is sweltering through its hottest day in two years with temperatures soaring to 38C in the city as an autumn heatwave bears down on NSW.
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Fire authorities are bracing for three days of sizzling heat with an extreme fire danger warning issued for numerous regions, with no reprieve in the extreme temperatures until Thursday.
Total fire bans are in force and a widespread heatwave warning has been issued, with some areas expected to exceed 40C.
Extremely hot and dry conditions are predicted on Monday for most of the NSW coast and the central west, with parts of the state tipped to experience severe heat until Wednesday.
The Department of Education has closed 34 schools in areas with an elevated bushfire risk across the Central Ranges, where extreme fire danger ratings have been declared.
The temperature in Sydney will soar to 38C on Monday, while the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast extreme fire danger for the Greater Hunter, Central Ranges and Lower Central West Plains.
Those areas can expect hot and dry conditions with fresh and gusty northwesterly winds.
There is also a severe weather warning for damaging winds for parts of the South Coast, Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains, Canberra and South West Slopes Forecast Districts.
Peak gusts of 90 to 100km/h are possible in areas including Braidwood, Jindabyne, Perisher Valley, Charlotte Pass, Thredbo and Adaminaby.
The NSW Rural Fire Service says the extreme fire danger stretches across much of the state.
A total fire ban has been declared for the Greater Hunter, Northern Slopes, North Western, Upper and Lower Central West Plains, Central Ranges and Southern Ranges.
An emergency warning is in place for an uncontrolled fire burning in the vicinity of Pyramul Creek, southwest of Mudgee, in the Central West, that's spreading towards Tambaroora.
"Crews are working with the assistance of waterbombing aircraft and heavy plant machinery to contain the fire, which is burning in rugged and largely inaccessible terrain," the RFS said.
An 80 hectare grass fire is also burning in the Burrendong area, 15km southeast of Wellington and out of control.
NSW Police State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Emergency Management Peter Thurtell is urging people to refrain from taking unnecessary risks.
"During extremely hot weather, we often see an increase in tragic incidents including drownings, falls from windows or balconies, and kids, pets or vulnerable people suffering distress or injury from being left in a hot car," he said in a statement.
Nearly 30 people drowned in NSW waterways during summer and emergency services are pleading for people to think before they swim.
"At the beach, always swim between the flags and listen to the directions and advice of surf lifesavers - please do not take a risk and swim at an unpatrolled area," Mr Thurtell said.
Of the nation's capital cities only Darwin is experiencing the same autumn swelter with 30 degrees, while Melbourne is a mild 20, Brisbane 29, Perth 21, Adelaide 17, Hobart 19 and Canberra is 25.
Australian Associated Press
