Western Sydney residents to sweat through third day over 40C on Monday while state’s north-west predicted to hit 48C

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

More hot weather is on its way with no relief in sight as much of New South Wales continues to bake under severe heatwave conditions and firefighters continue to battle blazes across the state.

Penrith residents in western Sydney were expected to sweat through their third consecutive day over 40C on Monday and in parts of the state’s far north, the mercury was forecast to go above 45C.

Wilcannia, in the state’s north-west, was predicted to reach 48C, while much of NSW was expected to continue to experience temperatures on or above 40C.

Bushfire closes Sydney's Royal national park as heatwave grips NSW Read more

The Bureau of Meteorology warned temperatures would remain at 40C across inland NSW for most of the week.

“We’re not having any major changes in temperatures, unfortunately, generally over the whole state the severe heatwave is predominantly going to continue,” meteorologist Jordan Notara said. “Inland parts are seeing temperatures generally staying at 40C for the next seven-day forecast.”

NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) There are 36 fires burning across NSW, with 12 uncontained. Thanks to efforts of hundreds of #NSWRFS members all fires currently at advice level.

Challenging conditions to continue tomorrow with Total Fire Bans in Greater Sydney, Greater Hunter, Central Ranges & Southern Ranges. pic.twitter.com/FgVqQ57TeR

Firefighters were keeping a close eye on bushfires across NSW with four regions – the southern ranges, central ranges, greater Hunter and greater Sydney – subject to total fire bans on Monday.

The Royal national park in Sydney’s south remained closed as firefighters continued to battle a blaze believed to have been deliberately lit.

The fire, which started on Saturday, had destroyed more than 1,800 hectares of land by Monday morning and was being treated as suspicious with investigations under way, a NSW police spokeswoman said.

NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) Crews take a breather at Garie Beach after working through the night on the fire in the Royal National Park, south of Sydney. Great effort by all agencies working together. Pic: @SutherlandRFS #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/RTNnm8zxAr

Hundreds of hikers and tourists had to be rescued by boat as the blaze spread on Saturday but firefighters, with the help of a large air tanker, worked throughout Sunday to contain the fire.

Firefighters took advantage of easing conditions overnight to strengthen containment lines ahead of worsening conditions on Monday, the NSW Rural Fire Service said.

In the southern tablelands, a bushfire had burnt more than 1,600 hectares at Bannaby, with firefighters working overnight to establish and strengthen containment lines.

The fire had increased in activity earlier on Sunday but conditions eased into the evening, allowing firefighters to downgrade the blaze.

Fire crews were also paying close attention to a large bushfire at Dandry in the state’s north that had burnt through more than 51,000 hectares.

The blaze, which was burning in the Pilliga forest between Coonabarabran and Narrabri and to the east of Baradine, was downgraded on Sunday evening to advice level.