Sydneysiders have braced for one of the hottest October days in living memory as temperatures shoot to 40C in some areas while nine bushfires remain uncontained throughout the state.

Exceptionally dry, hot and windy weather in NSW has created perfect bushfire conditions, with 36 bushfires burning across the state, nine of which were uncontrolled according to the Rural Fire Service.

Over 170 firefighters have been stationed on the ground to battle blazes in the scorching heat, with dangerous conditions prompting five total fire bans in the state including in Sydney, Illawarra and Hunter regions.

The RFS said it was monitoring “worsening conditions as the temperature and wind steadily increase” and added that lightning strikes had been detected throughout central and southern parts of the

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