Total fire bans are in place as a searing heatwave brings soaring temperatures to much of Australia’s east coast.
In Victoria emergency services have warned there is severe fire danger for the rural districts of Mallee and Wimmera, where temperatures are expected to soar above 40 degrees.
In Melbourne, residents are expecting tops of 33 degrees today followed by 30 degrees tomorrow.
Chief Officer of the Country Fire Association Steve Warrington said emergency services were well aware of the fire danger hot weather brings.
“The drama we have in Victoria and south-east Australia is that we are one of three worst bushfire-prone parts of the globe,” Warrington said.
“Tomorrow’s hot and dry conditions could make it difficult for firefighters to supress a fire should one start, therefore we are asking people to take heed of the Total Fire Ban conditions.
“People need to be aware of the increased fire danger and ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies.”
In Sydney, residents are expecting a relatively mild day today before temperatures soar to as high as 37 degrees in metropolitan areas, with tops of more than 40 degrees in the city’s west.
Tomorrow’s scorcher will mark the hottest weather Sydney has experienced since February, and could break NSW records for the month of November.
Alan Morrison, Chief Superintendent of NSW Ambulance, said Australians should keep a close eye out for the symptoms of heat-related stress.
“It’s important that people are alert to the symptoms associated with heat exhaustion in themselves or others, especially young children and the elderly,” said Supt Morrison.
“These include nausea, faintness, dizziness, loss of appetite, weakness, headache, and vomiting.”
In South Australia, residents in Adelaide are expecting temperatures to soar to a top of 36 degrees today with the mercury exceeding 40 degrees in many parts of the state.
With thunderstorms also predicted for South Australia, there are total fire bans in place for the Mount Lofty ranges, the mid-north and the Riverland regions.
Fire bans are also in place on the Eastern Eyre Peninsula, the Lower Eyre Peninsula and the Yorke Peninsula districts.
The South Australian Country Fire Service said residents in severe fire danger areas should have their bushfire survival plans ready.
“Where fire ban districts have a forecast fire danger rating of Severe, well prepared and actively defended houses can offer safety during a fire,” the SA CFS warns on their website.
“If you don’t have a plan to ensure your survival, leaving early before a fire starts is your safest option.
