Australia's east is today facing its first major test of the bushfire season as scorching temperatures grip several states.
Extreme heat and strong winds are generating dangerous conditions for the spread of bushfires today in NSW and Queensland.
"It's certainly the worst day for fire risk since last fire season," NSW RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers told Today.
READ MORE: Heatwave continues as records set to be broken
https://twitter.com/BOM_au/status/1332787381372596226"There are 38 fires and three that aren't under control at the moment.
"Crews have worked overnight to get these fires contained which successfully have done.
"But it's really about these new ignitions today, they're the concerning thing for us."
Temperatures are expected to reach 40C in several areas across NSW again today, prompting a Total Fire Ban for nine locations.
https://twitter.com/NSWRFS/status/1332773590421430281A severe fire danger warning is in place for the Far North Coast, North Coast, Greater Hunter, Greater Sydney Region and North Western region.
There is also a very high fire danger for Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Central Ranges, New England and Northern Slopes.
"Because they have that drought-breaking rain, there's been significant growth in those areas," Mr Rogers said.
"That's really higher risk in the grassland than we've seen in probably five years or so.
"Under these conditions, the grass fire takes hold, under the worst of these wind conditions it will move frighteningly fast and be extremely dangerous."
"It will be a really long day for people and firefighters. We've already seen a number of fires pop up today," Mr Rogers said.
Most National Parks throughout NSW have closed their tracks and trails as an extra safety precaution.
Five towns in NSW and one Sydney suburb surpassed their November maximum including right here at Sydney Olympic Park which reached 41.5 degrees.
Fire on Fraser Island
Crews in Queensland are focusing on stopping a fire burning on Fraser Island from encroaching on two major tourist destinations.
The fire has already burnt through 74,000 hectares of lands and crews are concerned today's weather could cause the blaze to jump containment lines.
"With today's higher temperatures and stronger northerly winds, that will really test those containment lines," QFES Superintendent John Pappas said.
About 5km south of the fire is the King Fisher Bay Resort where crews have warned people to prepare.
"We put additional fire fighting crews into the resort and also into the Happy Valley township to protect those assets in the event that fire goes for a run under those stronger winds today," Mr Pappas said.
The fire was sparked six weeks ago however heatwave conditions over the last 48 hours have caused the blaze to strengthen significantly.
Emergency crews are warning high fire-fighting conditions are only expected to continue across the state as temperatures soar.
Areas around Queensland are expected to surpass he 40C mark with Ipswich forecast nudge 48C today.
The west of the state that will bear the brunt of the heatwave with Birdsville expected to hit 46C and emergency crews are warning that this is only going to get worst throughout the week.
Approximately 40 fires are currently burning across Queensland.
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