THE Hunter is set to swelter through a heatwave this week, with temperatures forecast to hit 40 degrees across the region.
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The hot and dry weather has put Rural Fire Service volunteers on high alert, and firebugs have been warned their actions could be deadly.
It will be 29 degrees in Newcastle on Tuesday – but the mercury will soar to 36 degrees by Friday.
Further west in Cessnock, it will reach 41 degrees on Thursday and 42 degrees on Friday.
The temperature will be in the mid-30s in Maitland and Dungog early in the week; before reaching the 40s on Thursday and Friday.
The Upper Hunter is set to sizzle on Friday with tops of 42 degrees in Singleton, 41 in Scone and 37 in Muswellbrook.
Port Stephens will fare better than the rest of the Hunter, with a maximum of 33 degrees on Friday.
The RFS – already wary of deliberately-lit fires in Port Stephens, Cessnock and Abermain in recent months – said volunteers were “ready to go” in case of emergency.
Firefighters warned arsonists they faced imprisonment if they decide to light a blaze.
“It’s dangerous, it can destroy lives and have a harmful impact on the environment,” RFS spokesman Greg Allan said.
“We say there's never been a better time to get caught, and you will be put to the full force of the law.”
Mr Allan said the hot run of weather reinforced the need for families to have a bushfire survival plan, particularly households in remote parts of the Hunter.
“Obviously, when there is hot and windy conditions there is increased fire danger,” he said.
“So the most important thing is you have a bushfire survival guide and discuss it with your loved ones.
“It certainly helps and could make all the difference in an emergency.”
Clearing gutters of leaves, removing debris in the garden and ensuring the house is equipped with a long hose is essential bushfire preparation, Mr Allan added.
The temperature in Newcastle will ease just in time for New Year’s Day, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a top of 28 degrees.
It will be a slightly hotter start to 2017 in Cessnock and Maitland, with a top of 34 degrees and 31 degrees, respectively. It is set to be 28 degrees in Port Stephens.
NEWCASTLE
Tuesday – min 21, max 28
Wednesday – min 20, max 30
Thursday – min 22, max 33
Friday – min 23, max 32
Saturday – min 23, max 31
Sunday – min 22, max 26
MAITLAND
Tuesday – min 19, max 35
Wednesday – min 18, max 36
Thursday – min 20, max 41
Friday – min 22, max 42
Saturday – min 24, max 37
Sunday – min 21, max 32
CESSNOCK
Tuesday – min 19, max 35
Wednesday – min 18, max 36
Thursday – min 20, max 41
Friday – min 22, max 42
Saturday – min 24, max 37
Sunday – min 21, max 32
DUNGOG
Tuesday – 19-34
Wednesday – 18-36
Thursday – 21-40
Friday – 22-41
Saturday – 24-37
Sunday – 22-34
PORT STEPHENS
Tuesday – min 21, max 29
Wednesday – min 21, max 30
Thursday – min 22, max 34
Friday – min 23, max 33
Saturday – min 24, max 30
Sunday – min 23, max 27
SINGLETON
Tuesday – min 18, max 36
Wednesday – min 18, max 37
Thursday – min 20, max 41
Friday – min 22, max 42
Saturday – min 24, max 39
Sunday – min 21, max 35
MUSWELLBROOK
Tuesday – min 19, max 34
Wednesday – min 17, max 32
Thursday – min 21, max 36
Friday – min 22, max 37
Saturday – min 22, max 35
Sunday – min 21, max 33
SCONE
Tuesday – min 18, max 35
Wednesday – min 18, max 37
Thursday – min 20, max 39
Friday – min 21, max 41
Saturday – min 23, max 40
Sunday – min 21, max 36
