Australia's firefighting aircraft fleet is prepared to respond to bushfires and hazardous weather as temperatures skyrocket ahead of summer.

Residents of Victoria and South Australia copped cyclone-strength winds, while temperatures hit 39C in parts of western NSW in severe weather conditions on Wednesday.

Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain announced the 160-strong fleet from the National Aerial Firefighting Centre was ready to respond as the higher-risk weather season loomed.

"It's really important that as we enter this higher risk weather season on the back of what was extraordinary heat and wind yesterday, that every Australian has a plan for the worst-case scenario," she said at the RAAF Base Richmond northwest of Sydney on Thursday.

"While severe weather can occur at any

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