As Victoria continues to battle bushfires, a total fire ban has also been declared for parts of NSW on Friday amid forecasts of temperatures forecast to soar to about 40C.
The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) said on Thursday that a total fire ban will be in place due to “hot, dry and windy conditions are forecast across parts of the state, increasing the fire danger”.
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The areas include the Greater Sydney Region, Greater Hunter, Northern Slopes and North Western area.
Sydney is set for its hottest day of summer on Friday, with temperatures forecast to reach 38C in the city and 41C in western suburbs, despite the possibility of storms.
Daytime maximum temperatures for the Hunter region range from 36C to 41C, as well as Northern Slopes and North Western area.
What does a total fire ban mean?
During a total fire ban, you are not supposed to light, maintain or use a fire in the open, or to carry out any activity in the open that might cause a fire.
Some hot works, such as welding, grinding or gas cutting or any activity that produces a spark or flame, shouldn’t be done in the open during this period.
An electric barbeque is still allowed, as long as an adult is present at all times while it is operating, and no combustible material is allowed within two metres at any time it is operating.
A gas barbeque is also fine with the direct control of a responsible adult.
However, barbecues or wood-fired pizza ovens, which use solid fuels like wood, charcoal, or heat beads, are not recommended due to the higher risk of fire.