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Australia and New Zealand Face Unprecedented Early Fire Season as Temperatures Soar
22 Oct
Summary
- New South Wales and Queensland record hottest October temperatures since 1910
- Dozens of bush and grass fires rage across New South Wales amid hot, dry winds
- Authorities issue rare "red" wind warnings and wildfire emergencies in New Zealand
On October 22nd, 2025, Australia's east coast faced an unprecedented early spring heatwave, with New South Wales and Queensland recording their hottest October temperatures since records began in 1910. Temperatures in parts of Sydney neared 40°C, and hot, dry winds fanned dozens of bush and grass fires across New South Wales.
In response, authorities issued rare "red" wind warnings and declared wildfire emergencies across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand. Firefighters in both countries battled fast-moving vegetation fires, with some properties destroyed. The extreme conditions prompted total fire bans and power outages, and health officials urged residents to stay indoors and hydrate.
Experts warned that the combination of intense heat and powerful winds would make the fires difficult to control, as the gusts rapidly dried out vegetation and spread embers. The fire season in southeast Australia typically runs from November to February, but this burst of heat and fire activity has arrived weeks earlier than usual, raising concerns about the potential severity of the upcoming season.
