Parts of Australia will face catastrophic fire conditions on Friday, when heatwaves are expected to hit most of the country. Severe to extreme heatwaves have been declared in every state and territory in Australia, except for Queensland, with high temperatures forecast for days. The state of Victoria has declared a total fire ban for Friday, as the fire danger rating will be set at 'catastrophic' - the highest level. Some 450 schools and childcare centres will be closed. One meteorologist told the BBC that the combination of heatwaves and elevated fire danger could create the most 'significant' conditions since the Black Summer bushfires.
On Thursday, firefighters battled several blazes in Victoria and New South Wales, with planes called in to tackle a large fire near Wodonga. Melbourne reached its hottest day in six years with temperatures of 40.9C. The heatwave is expected to peak over the weekend, particularly in Sydney where temperatures could hit 42C. Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner warned that catastrophic fire danger could lead to unpredictable and uncontrollable blazes, urging the community to prepare their bushfire survival plans.
On Thursday, firefighters battled several blazes in Victoria and New South Wales, with planes called in to tackle a large fire near Wodonga. Melbourne reached its hottest day in six years with temperatures of 40.9C. The heatwave is expected to peak over the weekend, particularly in Sydney where temperatures could hit 42C. Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner warned that catastrophic fire danger could lead to unpredictable and uncontrollable blazes, urging the community to prepare their bushfire survival plans.
