Sydney weather: Fire threat upgraded as NSW braces for unprecedented conditions

Cattle and smoke Sir Ivan fire. 

Firefighters are preparing to defend the tiny town of Cassilis in the central west from a fire front driven by increasing winds, as bushfires damaged dozens of houses across the state on Sunday.

The Rural Fire Service had earlier directed people from outlying areas to head for shelter in Cassilis, a town of about 300 people east of Dunedoo but with the fire approaching, the RFS now says it has crews in place to defend the town should the fire hit.

Read tonight’s story from the Melbourne Age - “Sydney weather: Fire threat upgraded as NSW braces for unprecedented conditions.”