Winter bushfires burning, but under control in NSW

Unseasonable heat and strong winds are forcing firefighters to fight wintertime bushfires in NSW, while residents in Victoria have been warned to brace for strong winds.

The Rural Fire Service has been called to a one-hectare grass fire at Yatte Yattah, near Lake Conjola, 170km south of Sydney on Wednesday morning. That fire is being controlled as at 6.30am, according to information from the fire service.

About 30km north, firefighters have control of a small bushfire at Worrowing Heights, near Vincentia.

The encompassing Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions are in a state of high fire danger on Wednesday, as steady northwesterly 35 to 55km/h winds are forecast throughout the day.

The Southern Ranges are also subject to a moderate fire danger warning.

The region is forecast for a maximum of 23C.

Rural Fire Service spokeswoman Victoria Quested said the unseasonable heat and strong winds were causing fires in the region.

The Yatte Yattah fire was likely caused by a downed power line about 5am on Wednesday.

Wind gusts of 80km/h were blowing through the site as firefighters arrived.

The cause of the Worrowing Heights fire that started Tuesday night was yet to be determined.

Ms Quested urged people in the region to take all the precautions they could by trimming overhanging trees and safely managing wood piles.

The Rural Fire Service had been called to multiple fires in the region in recent weeks that were caused by escaped private burns, she said.

There is not a total fire ban in place, but the fire service is warning people to be very cautious when burning off, and to check old piles so fires do not reignite.

“Fires can start any time of the year, and we need to prepare now. A lot of people have not been thinking about fire the past few years,” Ms Quested said.

VIGOROUS WINDS

Victorians are experiencing the opposite with residents warned to “act now” as one of the strongest cold fronts to hit the state this year lashes the region on Wednesday.

People in the most heavily treed areas of the state have been asked to avoid travel as wind gusts in excess of 100km/h are expected to bring down trees.

On Tuesday Victoria SES chief operations officer Tim Wiebusch said people across the state should act now to secure any loose items in yards.

“We all too often see outdoor settings, trampolines and the like becoming missiles in these events,” Mr Wiebusch said.

He has asked all Victorians to download the Vic Emergency App, which contains the latest advice issued by emergency services.

“Make sure you stay in tune with the warnings,” he said.

“That advice message provides all the latest information … around the wind phenomena, but also the coastal hazard warnings.

“As a result, we are asking Victorians to be alert on the roads, ensure that you are keeping an eye out for fallen trees and debris over the next 36 hours,” he said on Tuesday.

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Sarah Scully said cold fronts in the southeast of Australia were bringing wind, gusty showers and storms.

Victoria can expect windy conditions with showers on and south of the ranges, snow above 1200m and thunderstorms with small hail around the southwest coast and Central Coast.

Ms Scully warned that was also the same for bayside suburbs around Melbourne.

On Wednesday, Ms Scully said Melbourne would reach 18C, but it would be much cooler in Ballarat, which would peak at 13C.

Tasmania could also expect wind and widespread rain which would ease to showers across the northwest.

Ms Scully said there would also be a risk of thunderstorms and hail across the southern island as well with Hobart and Launceston reaching a high of 12C.

In Queensland, the north tropical coast could expect isolated showers while the rest of the state had dry and sunny conditions.

Ms Scully said maximum temperatures would be well above average.

“We’re forecasting 31C for Brisbane, which is 8C above the August average and even warmer than Cairns, forecasting 28C there,” she said.

NSW can expect dry and windy conditions on Wednesday, with some showers developing over the Southern Ranges and isolated showers in the Northern Ranges.

“It is going to be noticeably windy, particularly for the Sydney metropolitan area and the Illawarra,” Ms Scully said.

“A maximum 28C for Sydney, much cooler for Canberra and 18C.”

South Australia will have a windy start to Wednesday but should ease by the early afternoon.

Ms Scully said there would be showers in the southern agricultural regions of SA, with Adelaide reaching a maximum temperature of 17C, but it will be much warmer inland.

Another cold front is expected to hit the southwest of Western Australia on Wednesday night otherwise it will be dry conditions throughout the day.

The southwest should have near average temperatures but it would be much warmer inland and in the northern parts of WA.

Perth can expect a high of 21C, while Karratha in the northwest of the state will reach a high of 35C.

Northern Australia can expect warm and sunny conditions with humidity building in the northeast of the state, bringing a possible shower in northeast Arnhem Land.

Darwin will reach 34C, and 35C in Alice Springs.