Sydney, Newcastle and most of south of the Australian state of New South Wales south are preparing for severe and extreme fire conditions as crews mourn the death of a third firefighter in a fortnight. Extreme fire danger is forecast for the Southern Ranges, Illawarra and Australian Capital Territory on New Year's Eve while surrounding regions - including Sydney, the Hunter and the far south coast - are set for severe fire danger. DION GEORGOPOULOS/SYDNEY MORNING HERALD A Rural Fire Service firefighter protects a property from the Currowan fire on the NSW South Coast before Christmas. The New South Wales Rural Fire Service said bushfire-prone communities near Batemans Bay and Bega "should" move to large towns away from bushland by midmorning. Brett Kennedy/ADF New South Wales Rural Fire Service member Allen Madden prepares to be winched down by Petty Officer Aircrewman Jason Wickman from an 808 Squadron MRH-90 Taipan helicopter near the Grose Valley bushfire in the Blue Mountains.

Source: Stuff December 30, 2019 18:11 UTC