Sydney on Tuesday faced its first total fire ban in almost three years since November 2020, with the day-time maximum temperature expected to hit 34 degrees Celsius.

New South Wales Rural Fire Services (NSW RFS) declared on Tuesday morning that a total fire ban is in place for the Greater Sydney Region and Far South Coast area, while high fire danger ratings are also forecast for several other areas during the day. 

"High temperatures and strong winds are the perfect conditions for a bushfire. On those days, the RFS can declare a total fire ban which means no fires out in the open, including wood or charcoal barbecues," said the fire authority, urging residents to stay ready to act.

More than 500 firefighters and emergency personnel are trying to tame 61 fires across New South Wales state as of Tuesday morning, with 13 not yet contained, according to Reuters report.

On the state's Far South Coast, the NSW Department of Education decided to temporarily shut down 20 public schools on Tuesday after consulting with fire authorities.

According to the forecast by NSW RFS, the Greater Sydney and Greater Hunter regions would see "extreme" fire danger on Wednesday, while the rating for the Far South Coast would drop from "extreme" to "high."

Sydney is set to record five consecutive daytime maximum temperatures of more than 30 degrees Celsius (86 F) in September, a new record, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Temperatures could reach 34 degrees Celsius in Sydney on Tuesday, just shy of the September record of 34.6 degrees Celsius in 1965. But a cold front from Thursday will bring some relief to the heat, pushing temperatures down to the low 20s.

(With input from agencies)