September heat records smashed as bushfire threat forces closure of 21 schools across NSW

More than 20 public schools have been shut down across New South Wales amid extreme fire danger warnings along the South Coast.

The closures will impact 21 schools in the region, and as of this morning are only expected to be in force for Tuesday September 19.

This comes as the Greater Sydney Region undergoes its first total fire ban in three years, with 59 fires currently burning across the state and with Sydney expected to reach maximum temperatures of 34C.

On Tuesday there are two total fire bans in place across NSW. RFS Credit: Supplied

Temperatures in parts of NSW, the ACT and Victoria are expected to reach up to 14C above average temperatures earlier in the week before a cool change is expected to come through on Wednesday.

Both the Greater Sydney Region and the Far South Coast have total fire bans in place today, with the former experiencing a high fire danger and the latter an extreme fire danger.

It is expected that the Greater Sydney Region and the Greater Hunter area will be under extreme fire danger warnings on Wednesday.

21 schools have been closed across NSW on Tuesday. NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: Supplied

The 21 schools closed on Tuesday are:

Multiple areas across NSW, the ACT and Victoria could reach 8-15 C above average on Tuesday. Windy.com Credit: Supplied

A Rural Fire Service (RFS) spokesperson said strong north westerly winds and high temperatures in the mid-30s had combined to create the dangerous conditions.

“Remember the basic rules of a total fire ban — no fires out in the open,” they said.

“We don’t want to see any work or activity that could start a new fire in the landscape.”

The RFS is also urging anyone who sees a fire with no trucks in attendance to call triple-000.

“Most importantly, residents need to have a discussion about what they’ll do if there’s a fire threat,” the spokesperson said.

“It’s better to have that discussion ahead of time and to discuss if you’ll leave, when you’ll leave, what you’ll take with you and where you’ll go.”

While nearly 60 fires are actively burning across NSW, all remain at an advice level as of Tuesday morning.

“There could be some close to townships or villages, but no properties are being impacted nor are there immediate threats to them,” the RFS spokesperson said.

There are currently 59 fires burning across the state. NCA NewsWire / James Gourley Credit: Supplied

Sky Weather meteorologist Bradlyn Oakes said hot conditions would stretch across “the entirety of the country” from Monday due to “warm air pulling across the country”.

“Temperatures (will be) soaring in many areas over that 30 C mark,” she said.

“Into Tuesday the heat will really settle into areas in the ACT and southern NSW.”

It is expected that multiple areas across NSW, the ACT and Victoria will be 8-15 C above average on Tuesday, while the heat will likely “hang on” into Wednesday where some parts of NSW will experience temperatures about 8 C above average.

“Stretching from the northwest down towards the southeast, it will be very warm for the days ahead before a cool change on Wednesday,” Ms Oakes said.

September temperature records were broken in South Australia on Monday, with Port Augusta reaching a maximum temperature of 38.4 C.

In Victoria, Mildura reached 36.5 C on Monday, the fifth highest Victorian temperature on record, while Falls Creek clocked its highest overnight September temperature on record with 10.7 C.

Areas in Queensland also remain on high alert on Tuesday after a fire at Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast was contained after burning through 172 hectares.

Residents in areas impacted by active fire danger alerts are urged to regularly check for updates on the RFS website.