Firefighters in the Australian state of Victoria are battling at least six major fires as a record-breaking heatwave hits the country's south-east.
Two fires are currently burning at 'emergency level' according to local broadcaster ABC News. Several communities have been issued emergency warnings to either evacuate, watch and wait, or shelter in place.
Fire officials warn that the situation is changing rapidly and have asked locals to stay up to date with the latest warnings.
The Bureau of Meteorology states that parts of the state have seen all-time temperature highs, with one area hitting a staggering 48.9°C, while Melbourne recorded temperatures as high as 41°C.
Chris Hardman, Chief Fire Officer at Forest Fire Management Victoria, indicated that the heat conditions are making firefighting efforts incredibly difficult.
Two specific blazes, in Camperdown and Otways, are at emergency levels, with a newer fire in the Larralea area causing significant concern. The Country Fire Authority chief officer Jason Hefferman noted that the Otways fire could generate ember showers that might ignite new fires ahead of the main blaze.
While it remains unclear how much damage has been caused, Deputy Incident Controller Alistair Drayton reported anecdotal evidence of some homes being lost. He praised the firefighters for their spectacular work thus far.
In addition to Victoria, South Australia is also under an alert for extreme fire risk, reflecting the broader impacts of climate conditions across the region.
Moreover, health officials have highlighted serious health risks associated with the prolonged heat, particularly threatening to the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Victoria's chief health officer, Caroline McElnay, warned that the heat could cause severe health issues such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and might even trigger heart attacks or strokes.
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