Australia’s east coast sweats under unusual spring heat wave

The east coast of Australia is sweltering through a spring heat wave, with parts of New South Wales reaching 40 degrees and more than 75 bushfires burning across the state and Queensland.

A man enters the sea next to the Bronte ocean pool in
Sydney on Saturday. New South Wales recorded temperatures
of 40 degrees in some areas.

The Bureau of Meteorology said Wilcannia in the far west of NSW reached 40.5 degrees about 3pm, a September record for the state.

And an out of control grass fire east of Goulburn has forced authorities to close the Hume Highway in both directions.

The fire is at “emergency” level, according to the Rural Fire Service, and is moving in an easterly direction towards the town of Hanging Rock.

Firefighters and aircraft including the Large Air Tanker are working to slow the spread of the fire.

Read Michael McGowan’s story on The Guardian - “Australia’s east coast sweats under unusual spring heat wave.”