Australia: NSW Wildfires Trigger Top Evacuations, Destroy Homes Amid Heat

• Wildfires in New South Wales, Australia, led to top-level evacuation alerts for thousands of residents.
• The Phegans Bay and Woy Woy area on the central coast was particularly affected, with up to 16 homes reportedly destroyed.
• A heatwave pushing temperatures to 42°C significantly increased the fire danger across the state.
• Over 50 bushfires were burning, including one in the Upper Hunter region that consumed nearly 10,000 hectares.
• Authorities warn of a high-risk bushfire season this summer, recalling the devastating "Black Summer" fires of 2019-2020.

Why It Matters: Wildfires threaten thousands in New South Wales, signaling a dangerous bushfire season.