Disaster declared as NSW firefighters continue to battle 20 uncontained bushfires

<p>Albanese warns of ‘difficult’ summer amid fears strong winds could fan fires that destroyed at least 12 homes in Koolewong and four at Bulahdelah</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/dec/07/australia-news-live-nsw-bushfire-central-coast-upper-hunter-chris-minns-anthony-albanese-anika-wells-social-media-ban-syria-refugees-tasmania-dolphin-sands-labor-coalition-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has warned of a “difficult” summer bushfire season ahead, as a natural disaster is declared in parts of New South Wales and crews battling more than 70 fires brace for unfavourable winds on Sunday.</p><p>The most destructive blaze – an out-of-control bushfire at Koolewong, not far from built-up areas of the Central Coast – destroyed more than 12 homes on Saturday.</p><p>Central Coast</p><p>Mid Coast</p><p>Upper Hunter</p><p>Muswellbrook</p><p>Warrumbungle</p><p>Dubbo</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/07/disaster-declared-as-nsw-firefighters-continue-to-battle-20-uncontained-bushfires">Continue reading...</a>

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