THOSE enjoying the brief drop in temperature better brace themselves, for temperatures are expected to soar again this weekend.
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Across the Central West temperature highs are expected to sit between 36 degrees and 44 degrees.
In Dubbo Saturday’s forecast is 44 degrees, while in Lithgow the mercury will hit as high as 36 degrees.
Mudgee is forecast to reach a top temperature of 42, while Bathurst is expected to reach 38 degrees.
Such a quick return to high temperatures means there will be little rest for the Rural Fire Service.
District Services Officer for Cudgegong RFS Andrew Williams said fire fighters were working hard to have all fires under control before the weekend.
“We have a fire out in Hargraves that we have been working on for the last two days. The crew are working very hard to contain the fire before the hot weather returns.”
Mr Williams said that while he was confident the fires would be contained in time, crews and hundreds of volunteers would be on standby over the weekend.
He said he is urging people in the community to be careful and vigilant in the coming days.
“The fire out at Hargraves was caused by a spark from an angle grinder – in these conditions, one spark is all it takes,” Mr Williams said.
Deputy Incident Controller for Orana RFS Tony Place had a similar story out in the Dubbo region.
“We recently attended a small grass fire that was started by a motorbike. With the high temperatures returning for the weekend, people will need to be aware.”
Mr Place said the RFS was urging famers in particular to be careful, as in these dry conditions a fire can be easily started by machinery.
He said Orana RFS were on high alert.
“We are maintaining and upgrading the plans which we have used in fires over the last week. We have all brigades and the 900 volunteers on standby, all on high alert. We are ready.”
Deputy Place said it was important for people to take care over the weekend, report smoke sighting and monitor the media for fire updates.
Central West top temperature forecast for the weekend:
Bathurst: 38 Saturday I 36 Sunday
Orange: 36 Saturday I 35 Sunday
Dubbo: 44 Saturday I 44 Sunday
Mudgee: 42 Saturday I 39 Sunday
Lithgow: 36 Saturday I 31 Sunday
Cowra: 42 Saturday I 39 Sunday
Parkes: 42 Saturday I 41 Sunday
Forbes: 44 Saturday I 40 Sunday
Wellington: 43 Saturday I 42 Sunday