SYDNEY, Dec 7 (Reuters) – Australia on Sunday activated disaster relief for residents impacted by wildfires that have burnt properties, infrastructure and thousands of hectares of bushland in the country’s most populous state.

More than 60 wildfires were burning in New South Wales on Sunday, a day after they destroyed at least 12 homes in the state’s central coast region, with a population of more than 350,000 people, about 45 km (30 miles) north of the state capital Sydney, Australia’s largest city.

Authorities have warned of a high-risk bush fire season this Australian summer with increased risk of extreme heat forecast for large swaths of the country, after several quiet seasons.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said fortunately there had been no loss of life so far in the fires.

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