Severe weather conditions have prompted a fire weather warning for the Southern Slopes as winds pick up and temperatures soar well in to the 40s on Friday.
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A Total Fire Ban has been declared for the Monaro Alpine, ACT, Southern Ranges, and Southern Slopes regions on Friday due to forecast hot and windy conditions.
The ban will cover the Southern Slopes council areas of Cootamundra-Gundagai, Hilltops and Snowy Valleys.
On Friday morning, the Bureau of Meteorology issued a fire weather warning for the three regions.
"Warm, dry and windy conditions will bring elevated fire dangers to the southeastern parts of NSW on Friday," the warning said.
The entire Riverina is predicted to swelter through a 40-plus degree day, with maximums of 46 at Hay, 45 at Griffith and Narrandera, and 44 in Wagga, Gundagai, Temora, Tumut and West Wyalong.
It'll be relatively cool in Tumbarumba, where the temperature is expected to reach 41 degrees.
The mercury won't drop to below 40 until Sunday, when a cool change will see the temperatures drop by almost 20 degrees in some parts of the region.
"Hot air drawn down from central Australia ahead of this front will lead to heatwave conditions in most areas, peaking during today and Saturday," the BoM forecast for the South West Slopes on Friday.
"The front and an associated trough will bring a cooler change to the far southwest of the state late Saturday, continuing through southern and central areas on Sunday, and into the northeast Monday."
The NSW Rural Fire Service has advised that well prepared homes that are actively defended can provide safety during a fire under Severe and Very High fire conditions.
No fires may be lit in the open and all fire permits are suspended during a total fire ban.
Gas and electric barbecues may be used provided certain conditions are met.
The RFS might issue a harvest safety alert for areas of heightened risk and harvest operators should monitor conditions and regularly check that they are operating within guidelines.
In other news
Meanwhile, State Emergency Operation Controller, NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys, has urged those cooling off by the water to be vigilant, and stay safe.
"Anyone swimming in unfamiliar waterways is urged to take extra care - every year thousands of people require rescuing from the surf and many needlessly drown," Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.
"Special care should be taken when swimming in rivers and dams where submerged objects may pose unexpected risks.
"I want to send a strong message to parents: if your children are out swimming, whether that is at the beach, a river, a dam or your backyard pool, and regardless of their age - they need to be supervised."
