Bushfires in Australia’s Southeast Escalate as Heatwave Fuels Extreme Risk

Takeaways

• Bushfires in Australia’s southeast have forced evacuations in Victoria as authorities warn of catastrophic fire danger conditions.
• Extreme heat, strong winds, and fire-generated weather systems are intensifying the spread and risk of loss of life.
• The crisis echoes the devastating Black Summer bushfires, as record temperatures also spread to New Zealand.

Uncontrolled bushfires in Australia’s southeast tore through large areas of bushland in the state of Victoria on Thursday, prompting widespread evacuations and urgent warnings from emergency authorities ahead of what has been described as a “catastrophic” fire danger day.

Temperatures climbed above 40°C (104°F) in parts of the state, creating ideal conditions for fast-moving and unpredictable fires. Two major blazes were burning near the towns of Longwood and Walwa, with firefighters struggling to contain their spread.

Authorities confirmed that at least two structures have been destroyed so far. The Longwood fire has already grown beyond 25,000 hectares, while the Walwa fire has burned through more than 10,000 hectares. The Walwa blaze has become particularly dangerous after generating its own weather system, including a pyrocumulonimbus cloud that produced lightning and thunder, increasing the risk of new fire outbreaks.

Read More: EU Sets 90% Emissions Target for 2040 as Heat Wave Intensifies

Residents in dozens of nearby towns have been told to evacuate as conditions are expected to worsen. Fire officials warned that rising temperatures and strengthening winds on Friday could cause fires to spread rapidly, threatening lives and property.

Friday’s fire danger rating has been set at “catastrophic,” the highest possible level. Under such conditions, authorities advise that even well-prepared homes may not be safe. Both major fires are considered to pose a serious and immediate threat.

“Tomorrow is a very, very dire bushfire day in the state of Victoria,” Jason Heffernan, Chief Officer of the Country Fire Authority, told reporters. He urged communities in high-risk areas to leave early and follow emergency instructions closely.

The bushfires are unfolding during an intense summer heatwave affecting southern Australia. Meteorologists say the conditions are comparable to those seen during the Black Summer of 2019–2020, when widespread fires across southeastern Australia killed 33 people and destroyed thousands of homes.

As a precaution, around 450 schools across Victoria are set to close on Friday, while many regional train services have been cancelled. Total fire bans have already been declared in several districts and will be extended across the entire state.

The extreme heat is not limited to Australia. Across the Tasman Sea, MetService has warned of record-high temperatures as the heatwave moves toward New Zealand. Heat alerts have been issued for parts of the country’s eastern coastline and the northern regions of the South Island.

Also Read: Columbia Uni Study Maps Global Heat-Wave Hotspots

Authorities in both countries are urging people to stay informed, limit outdoor activity, and prepare for worsening conditions as the heatwave continues.

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Source: Reuters