Summer may be coming to end but NSW firefighters are urging residents to remain alert as heatwaves form across the east of the country.
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More than 11,000 fires have broken out across NSW since July last year burning 237,869 hectares of land and sparking seven emergency warnings, Rural Fire Service data released on Friday revealed.
Bushfire season has seen firefighters battle major fires in Sydney, Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay, the Hunter and coastal areas to the north as well as numerous inland blazes, RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.
"Firefighters, in particular, NSW RFS volunteers, have selflessly devoted their time and energy to protecting lives and properties threatened by these fires," he said in a statement.
"All the while, crews have responded to dozens of motor vehicle accidents, house fires and rescues across the state."
Relief may be a while away as the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts a heatwave will ramp-up in eastern parts of the country over the weekend.
The extreme heatwave will concentrate over eastern Queensland early next week, the bureau predicts, but a lower-intensity heatwave will extend across much of NSW's north.
The temperature in Sydney is expected to hover around 30C until late next week with light winds helping drive Saturday's fire danger rating to high.
"While milder weather last week provided our hardworking firefighters with a well-earned breather after fighting 2000 fires in January, conditions across the state remain very dry, with no indications of this weather pattern breaking," NSW Emergency Services Minister Troy Grant said.
"Any day with high temperatures and strong winds is likely to lead to increased fire danger."
Mr Grant urged people to take precautions including mowing their lawn, clearing debris and ensuring hoses are available to fight blazes.
Australian Associated Press