Severe to extreme heatwaves blanket every Australian state and territory except Queensland, with multi-day high temperatures forecast. Melbourne recorded 40.9C (105.6F), hottest in six years, while Western Australia coastal towns hit 49C.
Sydney peaks Saturday at 42C; South Australia and Western Australia exceed 40C through weekend.
Victoria declares total fire ban
Victoria imposes Friday total fire ban as northern regions face “catastrophic” danger rating – the highest level signaling unpredictable, uncontrollable blazes.
450 schools and childcare centres close preemptively. Bureau of Meteorology’s Angus Hines warns of strengthening winds, dry lightning thunderstorms delivering minimal rain, creating southeast Australia’s most significant multi-day fire threat since devastating 2019-20 Black Summer that killed dozens and scorched tens of millions of hectares.
Current fire battles
Firefighters on Thursday combat multiple blazes in Victoria and New South Wales. Twelve water-bombing planes target large Wodonga fire near city limits.
Victoria Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch urges immediate bushfire survival plan activation: “If you’re in catastrophic areas, leave early to lower-risk zones.”
Fire danger explained
Australia’s scale ranks catastrophic highest, followed by extreme, high, moderate. Heatwaves declare when minimum/maximum temperatures unusually exceed three-day norms.
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