SYDNEW (AFP) -- Bushfires raging across eastern Australia singed Sydney's suburbs on Tuesday, with firefighters scrambling planes and helicopters to douse a built-up neighborhood with water and red retardant.
Experts have described the conditions as the worst on record, as spring temperatures climbed toward 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) and winds topped 80 kilometers (50 miles) per hour across a zone which has been plagued by persistent drought.
Although the bushfire season is in its infancy, scientists predict it to be one of Australia's toughest ever, with climate change and unfavorable weather cycles helping created a tinderbox of strong winds, low humidity and high temperatures.
Twin blazes in the north shore suburb of Turramurra -- around 15 kilometers (nine miles) from the centre of Australia's largest city -- tore through a eucalypt forest park and sparked spot fires in homes, before eventually being brought under control.
As night fell, authorities said they were bringing another "clearly suspicious" blaze in a national park in the city's southern suburbs under control.
Throughout the day, more than 300 bushfires burned up and down Australia's east coast, fanned by gale-force winds, scorching temperatures and tinder-dry bushland that has brought some of the most dangerous conditions the country has seen.
In Turramurra, gardens smoldered, thick smoke hung heavy in the air and cars, houses and roads were caked in raspberry-red retardant as if hit by a giant paintball.
From early morning thousands of firefighters spread out across New South Wales in anticipation of what they called "off the scale" fire risk and "catastrophic" conditions.
They were unable to prevent several bushfires from breaching containment lines and trapping residents who had not already evacuated.
New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said so far only a dozen buildings had been damaged Tuesday and a handful non-life-threatening injuries were reported, but the crisis was far from over.
Even before unfavorable weather hit, days of fires had killed three people and destroyed at least 150 homes.
"The conditions are expected to get worse," Fitzsimmons said, warning residents in adjacent areas to stay alert.
Up to 600 schools were closed, as well as many national parks, a total fire ban was introduced for the affected area and Rally Australia -- due to be held in Coffs Harbor at the weekend -- was cancelled.