Searing temperatures fan Australia wildfires

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More than 130 fires are currently burning in New South Wales, 40 of which have not been contained, the BBC reports.  An uncontrolled fire is burning by the Tasman peninsula, near areas already hit by blazes over the weekend. Teams in Victoria are also fighting a blaze, as Australia’s heat wave continues. Four areas in New South Wales have been given a “catastrophic” fire danger rating, meaning that if fires break out they will be uncontrollable and fast-moving, so residents should leave.  Prime Minister Julia Gillard said residents had to stay alert. “The word catastrophic is being used for good reason,” she said. “So it is very important that people keep themselves safe, that they listen to local authorities and local warnings. “This is a very dangerous day.”  New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell told Australia’s Seven Network: “If we get through today without loss of life and loss of property we’ll have had a remarkable escape from what could have been.” The fires and warnings follow days of searing heat. In a statement, Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology revealed that for each of the first six days of 2013, the “national area-average” temperature had been in the top 20 hottest days on record. It was also the first time that average national top temperatures over 39C had been recorded on five consecutive days, the bureau said. Bans on lighting fires are in place across New South Wales, Canberra, Tasmania and Victoria. In New South Wales, temperatures had passed 40C by midday at the coast. Winds of up to 80kph (50mph) have also been forecast.Fires are burning along the New South Wales coast, and also in the north-west of the state. Bans on lighting fires are in place across New South Wales, Canberra, Tasmania and Victoria. In New South Wales, temperatures had passed 40C by midday at the coast. Winds of up to 80kph (50mph) have also been forecast.Fires are burning along the New South Wales coast, and also in the north-west of the state, but the largest concentration is in the south-east, around the Canberra area.  The four areas given a “catastrophic” fire danger rating – Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Southern Ranges and Riverina – are in this region.  A big fire is also burning in Yarrabin, 100km (60 miles) south of Canberra. The fire service says it is out of control and have advised residents to seek shelter, saying it is too late to leave. All national parks, state forests and reserves have been closed to the public and many tourists are reported to be leaving campsites. At a news conference, State Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons warned that several dangerous hours lay ahead. “We have still got many hours of hot, dry, difficult conditions ahead of us, right across different parts of New South Wales,” he said.