Scorching heat tipped to break records as fires burn
Sweltering heatwave conditions continue to affect much of south-east Australia, putting authorities on high alert as fire conditions become increasingly unpredictable.
Temperatures are expected to rise in parts of Victoria and South Australia on Tuesday, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning that extreme heat could break records.
Melbourne will have its hottest day since the devastating Black Saturday bushfires of 2009, with the maximum temperature expected to be 44C.
Mildura, in the state’s far north, is expected to reach 49°C, while Broken Hill in NSW is expected to reach 47°C, with both regions expected to break temperature records.
“If Mildura reaches such a high temperature it will be the highest temperature ever recorded in Victoria,” senior meteorologist Dean Narramore told AAP.
“Almost all observation points near the SA and Victoria border are approaching or likely to exceed January records, and a few locations could break all-time records.”
A total fire ban remains in place for both Victoria and SA, with many fires burning out of control under dynamic conditions.
Records were broken in Adelaide on Monday, when temperatures reached 44.7 degrees, surpassing the city’s previous Australia Day temperature record set in 2006.
Ceduna, in the capital’s northwest, exceeded its previous record temperature, rising to 49°C, while the NSW town of Dubbo recorded its hottest January day, reaching 46.1°C.
Weather conditions are worrying authorities in Victoria as several fires continue to burn out of control, including in the Otways, where a Carlisle River blaze broke through containment lines on Saturday, threatening the small community of Gellibrand.
Officials say unconfirmed property damage occurred at the fire site.
The bureau warned that strong south-westerly winds will hit Melbourne on Tuesday afternoon and there is a risk of thunderstorms that could produce dry lightning.
A cooler change will begin to take hold in Victoria on Wednesday, but there won’t be much relief in the interior south-east.
Deputy incident controller Alistair Drayton said the drastic change was worrying and authorities were urging residents living in Gellibrand, Kawarren, Beech Forest, Forrest and Barongarook to evacuate.
“Conditions tomorrow mean fire could spread quickly and unpredictably. We strongly advise people in affected areas to put their bushfire plans in place and leave early to protect themselves and their families,” he said.
Heatwave conditions also prompted a warning from health officials who responded to 11 cases of children locked in cars over the weekend as temperatures soared into the 40s in Victoria.
Ambulance Victoria has appealed to the community to never leave children, pets or elderly people alone in vehicles.
“The temperature inside a vehicle can double in a matter of minutes and become fatal,” said Dale Armstrong, director of emergency management.
“Leaving children in a vehicle is particularly dangerous because their body temperature increases three to five times faster than that of adults.”
Citizens in both states are advised to drink plenty of water, check with family, friends and neighbors to see if they need help, and stay home.
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