Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Firefighters in parts of Australia warned of "potentially catastrophic" fire conditions as a heatwave sweeps across the country's east coast.
New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said typical fire-danger ratings go as high as 100, indicating the highest fire danger conditions. The danger Sunday is more than 150, he said. Authorities are likening the conditions to those leading up to blazes in 2009 that left 173 people dead.
"It's not another summer day, it's not another bad fire weather day. This is as bad as it gets," Fitzsimmons said.
Temperatures in New South Wales are expected to surge well above 100 degrees. Strong winds can also fuel any possible fires.
Residents have been warned to stay indoors and keep cool.
