NSW experienced some of the state’s worst fire conditions on record during the weekend, with strong winds and temperatures soaring above 40 degrees.

But a dramatic drop in temperatures today has brought some relief to firefighters who had been battling 79 blazes across the state. There are no total fire bans in NSW today.

On Sunday, dozens of people had to be evacuated from the central west NSW towns of Rylstone and Kandos due to nearby fires being fed by wind gusts of up to 95kmh. Temperatures reached a maximum of 42.5C in Sydney yesterday (Sunday).

Nine regions, including greater Sydney, had a total fire ban at the weekend as around 1800 firefighters across NSW fought blazes with the aid of 70 aircraft. The NSW Rural Fire Service has warned that, without significant rain, the bushfires could flare up again later this week when temperatures are forecast to rise again.

Tasmania’s east coast experienced the state’s first major bushfire of the season last week, with three homes destroyed.

Meanwhile, Victoria’s Country Fire Authority has warned that heavy weekend rains will bring only a temporary reprieve from fire risks across the state.

Melbourne experienced its wettest November day in five years as nearly 60mm of rain fell in 30 hours to Sunday afternoon. At least 20 to 50mm fell in most areas around the state.