Firefighters in the Australian state of Victoria are battling at least six major fires as a record-breaking heatwave hits the country's south-east.
Two fires are currently burning at emergency level according to local broadcaster ABC News. Several communities have been issued emergency warnings to either evacuate, watch and wait, or shelter in place.
Fire officials warn that the situation is changing rapidly and have asked locals to stay up to date with the latest warnings.
The Bureau of Meteorology says that parts of the state have seen all-time temperature highs - with one area hitting a high of 48.9C. Melbourne has recorded a temperature of 41C.
Chris Hardman, the chief fire officer at Forest Fire Management Victoria, had told reporters that the state's heat conditions were making conditions incredibly difficult for firefighters.
Two fires - in Camperdown and Otways - are burning at emergency level. A new fire in the Larralea area is also causing significant concern. Country Fire Authority (CFA) chief officer Jason Heffernan warned that the Otways fire could produce ember showers, further increasing fire risks.
It is unclear what damage has been caused by the fires, but Australia's Deputy Incident Controller, Alistair Drayton, mentioned anecdotal evidence of homes being lost. He praised the work done by firefighters.
Beyond Victoria, South Australia has also been alerted for extreme fire risk, along with a total fire ban in place.
Health officials are warning about the health risks related to the prolonged heat, particularly for the elderly, children, and those with underlying health conditions.
As the world continues to warm, the likelihood of such extreme weather events is expected to rise significantly. The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that a combination of hotter weather and drought increases the propensity for fires to spread.
