Bushfire across Australia could get worse

Dozens of bushfires burning across Australia's east coast could get worse as severe heatwave continues.

After two years of rains and floods, a return to warmer conditions has sparked New South Wales State's worst fires since the 2019/2020 Black Summer.

A blaze 250km (155 miles) north-west of Sydney triggered the region's first emergency fire warning in two years.

Firefighters reported battling 10-15m (49ft) high flames.

Residents in affected areas across New South Wales - Australia's most populous state - have been urged to evacuate, and there are reports of damage to some properties.

Temperatures in some parts of the state also hit 40C (104F) on Monday, for the first time since January 2021.

The NSW Rural Fire Service says strong winds had driven the fires' rapid spread.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (Bom) also warned that dry thunderstorms were possible across eastern NSW, which could spark new fires.

The hot and dry conditions are expected to last until today.

[Source: BBC News]