Perth: A scorching heatwave swept across southeast Australia on Monday, intensifying bushfire risks and prompting fire bans in several regions of Victoria. The extreme heat has rekindled memories of the devastating "Black Summer" bushfires of 2019-2020, which scorched an area equivalent to Turkey, claimed 33 lives, and decimated billions of animals.
Melbourne, Victoria's capital, braced for temperatures soaring to 41°C (105.8°F), more than 14°C above the city’s January average, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Authorities issued an "extreme" fire danger warning—the second-highest level—in five regions across Victoria.
Dean Narramore, senior meteorologist at the Bureau, told that the combination of scorching temperatures and strong winds could ignite significant fires, though relief is expected with a cool change forecast to arrive later in the day.
The heatwave extended beyond Victoria, with New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory also under heatwave alerts. In New South Wales, the country’s most populous state, Narramore predicted "low to severe heatwave conditions" on Monday, with temperatures expected to intensify on Tuesday.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as communities brace for potential fire outbreaks in the sweltering conditions.
