An Australian firefighter died overnight after being hit by a falling tree while battling a bushfire that had already destroyed homes and scorched large areas of bushland north of Sydney, authorities reported on Monday (Dec 8). Emergency teams were called to an area near Bulahdelah, about 200km north of Sydney, where the 59-year-old man went into cardiac arrest and died at the scene.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the tragic incident highlights the risks faced by frontline responders protecting communities. “We honour their bravery every day,” he said. Over the weekend, a rapidly spreading bushfire destroyed 16 homes on the Central Coast of New South Wales, a region of around 350,000 people located just north of Sydney.

Koolewong resident Rouchelle Doust said she and her husband tried desperately to save their home as flames approached, but everything inside — cherished family belongings — was lost. Weather conditions improved overnight, allowing authorities to lower fire warnings, but temperatures in inland areas could exceed 40°C on Tuesday, increasing fire danger again. More than 50 fires were burning across New South Wales on Monday.

In Tasmania, a 700-hectare blaze at Dolphin Sands, around 150km northeast of Hobart, destroyed 19 houses and damaged 40 more. Although the fire is now contained, residents have been told it is still unsafe to return. Officials have cautioned that Australia faces a high-risk bushfire season from December to February due to the increased likelihood of extreme heat after several quieter years.

New Zealand national park fire: Across the Tasman Sea, crews and five helicopters were working to control a fire near New Zealand’s oldest national park. The blaze, close to Tongariro National Park — a popular hiking destination — grew to 110 hectares by Monday afternoon. Police shut down a nearby road and warned drivers to expect delays.