Brisbane expected to swelter under hottest September day in years as east coast faces unseasonably warm weather

Queensland capital forecast to hit 34C with local fire bans issued for Ipswich and Lockyer Valley, while Sydney sees reprieve from record heat

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Early spring fire bans have been put in place as Australia’s eastern states reckon with unseasonably hot conditions for the start of the season.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) warned of unseasonal heat in the low to mid-30s in north-eastern New South Wales and south-east Queensland.