Southeast Australia endures heatwave, faces bushfire risk

January 04, 2025 / 6:35 PM

Sharjah 24 – Reuters: Australia’s southeast is enduring a severe heatwave on Saturday, significantly increasing the risk of bushfires. Authorities have responded by issuing fire bans for large parts of Victoria state.

Bushfire season intensifies in Victoria

This heatwave is contributing to what is expected to be a high-risk bushfire season. Last week, authorities in Victoria fought a large blaze in the Grampians National Park, which destroyed homes and farmland.

Record-breaking temperatures expected

The country’s weather forecaster predicted temperatures up to 14°C (25.2°F) above average in some areas on Saturday. In Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, temperatures are expected to reach 37°C (98.6°F).

At Melbourne Airport, the temperature had already hit 32.8°C (91°F) by 10:20 a.m. local time, more than six degrees higher than the average maximum for January.

Fire bans and extreme danger in Victoria

Total fire bans have been issued for two districts in Victoria’s western region, including Wimmera, which stretches over 180 km (111 miles). The fire danger in these areas has been classified as "extreme," the highest rating possible.

Heatwave conditions to persist

Miriam Bradbury, a Bureau of Meteorology official, explained that the significant wind change driving the heat across the southeast won’t arrive until Sunday night, intensifying the fire risk further.

Reflection on recent fire seasons

While recent fire seasons have been relatively calm, the memory of the catastrophic 2019-2020 "Black Summer" wildfires, which destroyed an area the size of Turkey and claimed 33 lives, remains fresh in the nation's mind.