Firefighters Tackle Fires Amid Intense Heatwave in Australia

Tue Feb 03 2026 15:53:54 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Record-breaking temperatures fuel fires in Victoria, prompting emergency warnings and evacuation orders for local communities.

In Victoria, Australia, firefighters are grappling with at least six major bushfires, as the region faces a scorching heatwave with temperature highs reaching 48.9°C. Authorities have issued emergency warnings for affected communities, urging residents to evacuate or shelter in place. The heat has made firefighting efforts extremely challenging, with officials calling the situation rapidly changing. Experts warn of significant health risks for vulnerable groups due to the prolonged heat.

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 firefighting efforts incredibly difficult.

Two significant fires - in Camperdown and Otways - are currently classified as emergency level. A new fire in the Larralea area is also causing significant concern.

Country Fire Authority (CFA) chief officer Jason Hefferman stated that there was a risk the Otways fire could produce ember showers, potentially igniting new fires ahead of the main blaze.

While the exact damage is still unclear, Australia's Deputy Incident Controller Alistair Drayton shared anecdotal evidence of lost homes, praising the firefighters for their spectacular efforts thus far.

Besides Victoria, South Australia has also been placed on high alert for extreme fire risks.

Health officials have made it clear that this prolonged heatwave poses serious health risks, especially for the elderly, children, and individuals with underlying health issues. Victoria's chief health officer, Caroline McElnay, emphasized concerns about heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which could lead to serious medical emergencies.