Nov 11 : Australia’s east coast faces a “catastrophic” fire threat on Tuesday, authorities have warned.
THREAT LEVEL
The catastrophic rating was introduced in 2009 following the so-called Black Saturday bushfires that killed 173 people. This is the first time it has been declared for Sydney.
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Warning comes as temperatures in Sydney are expected to hit 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit), with strong winds elevating the risk.
NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says catastrophic conditions are “when people die”. No home, even a fireproofed one, is able to withstand the effects, Fitzsimmons warns.
