Bushfires around the state (must be summer)

I've been listening to the radio since 7pm (it's now 8pm). Sydney's temperature today was the hottest ever January temperature in 150 years of records, & we're currently waiting for the famous Southerly Buster, the winds that cool us down, but can bring big winds.

3 big Fires in the Central Coast - about 50 miles north of Sydney, 3 houses lost so far. When the southerly passed thru Kiama (about 50 miles south of Sydney) the temperature dropped 20 degrees, but it brought gusts around 100km per hour.

Rural Fire Service says the F3 Expressway is still open, but if the wind hits with the predicted 100km gusts the fires will join & close it. Hundreds of cars are stuck on other roads, including Wiseman's Ferry road, the road leading to St Albans village (where Alison holds her Festival in April).

Weather Bureau

more later

sandra