THE Hunter was spared the worst of unprecedented catastrophic fire conditions last week, but the message from those on the frontline is that a devastating bushfire season is only getting started and now is not the time to relax or become complacent.

Extreme weather conditions trigger fires in several states and a thunderstorm asthma warning and dust storm in Victoria

Australia swelters through another day of fire, dust and high winds, with smoke blanketing cities and crews battling bushfires across the nation.

Around the country, police are ramping up their surveillance of known arsonists as the threat of bushfire escalates.But many firebugs go undetected.

Power has been cut to more than 10,000 homes in South Australia as the state swelters through catastrophic bushfire conditions.

Sydney's CBD had all but disappeared under a thick haze on Tuesday morning as smoke from bushfires choked large chunks of NSW.