MELBOURNE, Jan 4 (Reuters) - The bushfires ravaging Australia are generating so much heat that they are creating their own weather systems including dry lighting storms and fire tornadoes.

On Saturday, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS)warned that a fire on the coast was generating its own weather system 287 km (178 miles) south of Sydney.

A fire-generated thunderstorm has formed over the Currowan fire on the northern edge of the fire near Nowra. This is a very dangerous situation. Monitor the conditions around you and take appropriate action, the RFS said on social media.