NSW fires claim homes as heat and high winds fuel blazes across the state

At least two homes have been destroyed near the town of Darawank on the NSW north coast, the ABC understands, as firefighters battle dozens of uncontained fires across the state. 

The RFS warned that spot fires from embers could threaten properties.

The Rural Fire Service (RFS) had cancelled emergency warnings for three blazes on the NSW north coast, but has since reinstated the emergency warning for a blaze in Darawank near Forster.

The RFS said with a southerly change, the fire was burning in a northerly direction towards Hallidays Point.

A fire that burned through more than 2,000 hectares at Tuncurry has been downgraded to a watch and act, as has a blaze at Mount George.

High temperatures and vigorous winds had resulted in high fire danger across the state.

Read the ABC News story by Paige Cockburn - “NSW fires claim homes as heat and high winds fuel blazes across the state.”

Emergency warning issued for Hepburn bushfire, in central Victoria

An emergency warning has been issued for an out-of-control fire at Hepburn Springs near Daylesford, north-west of Melbourne, as Victorian firefighters battle difficult weather conditions across the state.

Firefighters are tackling the scrub fire near Hepburn.

The bushfire, which started yesterday evening, is travelling in a southerly direction, and Hepburn and the northern section of Hepburn Springs could be impacted at any time.

An evacuation centre has been set up in Daylesford and authorities have been door-knocking in the early hours of the morning. Leaving now is the safest option, authorities say.

Authorities also warned visitors to stay away from the area, which is a popular tourism destination.

Read the ABC News story - “Emergency warning issued for Hepburn bushfire, in central Victoria.”

Sydney bakes as heatwave sets in, with no end in sight beyond New Year's Eve

Roads are melting, beaches are full to bursting and air conditioners are getting a serious end-of-year workout as residents in Sydney and across the state swelter through heatwave conditions, with no end in sight until 2019.

Swimmers jump off the rocks at Neilson Park to beat the heat.CREDIT:

The "severe" to "extreme" heatwave that settled in Sydney on Thursday is set to continue "for the foreseeable future", the weather bureau warned, even with a possible storm on the way for New Year's Eve.

Read the story from The Sydney Morning Herald by Jenny Noyes - “Sydney bakes as heatwave sets in, with no end in sight beyond New Year's Eve.”