THE region’s fire danger level has been upgraded to severe today and there is no relief in sight with temperatures remaining in the low-40s for some North West centres through to the middle of next week.
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For the second day, a total fire ban has been imposed across all NSW and firefighters remain on high alert.
The New England and North West avoided serious fire emergencies yesterday, although two fires had taken hold at either end of the region.
At Boggabilla, a scrub fire which had burnt out four hectares, was under control as was a small fire at Treloar Rd, Yannergee, west of Quirindi.
National parks in the region will reopen today, but authorities have warned visitors to take extreme care.
While fire crews remain on standby, many spent yesterday checking equipment.
The unrelenting heatwave has many checking the record books as the number of consecutive days of temperatures above 38 begins to mount.
Moree temperatures are forecast to be 40 degrees or above for the next six days and residents without air-conditioning will swelter overnight with minimum temperatures ranging from 24 to 27 degrees. Tamworth will not fare much better with minimums forecast for 24 degrees over the weekend and maximums of 40 and 41.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicts 40 degrees for Tamworth on Tuesday with no relief any time soon. One meteorologist said a delay in the arrival of monsoonal rains to the top part of Australia meant temperatures in central Australia would continue to rise forcing hot air across the southern states.
He could see little relief for a number of weeks.
