Sydney: Australia’s southeast was hit by a sweltering heatwave on Saturday, escalating bushfire risks and prompting authorities to issue fire bans across large areas of Victoria state. The heatwave comes as the country braces for a high-risk bushfire season, already grappling with a large blaze that swept through Victoria’s Grampians National Park last week, destroying homes and farmland.
According to Australia’s weather forecaster, temperatures on Saturday were expected to soar up to 14 degrees Celsius (25.2 degrees Fahrenheit) above average in some regions. Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, was set to reach 37°C (98.6°F). By 10:20 a.m. local time, the temperature at Melbourne Airport had already climbed to 32.8°C (91°F), exceeding the typical January high by more than six degrees, as per forecaster data.
In response, total fire bans were enforced in two districts in Victoria’s west, including Wimmera, a region stretching over 180 km (111 miles). Authorities declared the fire danger to be “extreme”, marking the highest level of risk.
Also Read | In Just 6 Weeks: Ukrainian Engineers Craft Vital Armor for Patriot Air Defense
Bureau of Meteorology official Miriam Bradbury highlighted that the most significant wind change, driving the heat across the southeast, would not occur until Sunday night. The heatwave’s arrival increases concerns of further bushfire outbreaks, making it a critical moment for authorities and residents to stay vigilant.
Also Read | Moldova’s Prime Minister Warns of Growing Security Threat After Gas Cutoff
While the recent fire seasons have been quieter compared to the devastating “Black Summer” of 2019-2020, which resulted in fires the size of Turkey and claimed 33 lives, the current conditions signal a need for caution as the country faces another potentially catastrophic bushfire season.
