{"id":40761,"date":"2026-01-08T04:29:03","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T04:29:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/?p=40761"},"modified":"2026-01-08T04:29:03","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T04:29:03","slug":"the-most-dangerous-day-bushfires-break-out-in-victoria-as-bom-warns-of-catastrophic-conditions-to-come-australia-weather","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/?p=40761","title":{"rendered":"\u2018The most dangerous day\u2019: bushfires break out in Victoria as BoM warns of catastrophic conditions to come | Australia weather"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Victoria\u2019s Hume highway has closed, regional trains have been cancelled and firefighters from at least two states are battling blazes in the worst heatwave to descend on Australia since black summer.<\/p>\n

As Melbourne prepares for a forecasted 41C day on Friday, acting premier, Ben Carroll, described Victoria as \u201cone of the most bushfire prone areas in the world\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is also the real risk of heat-related illness throughout the state tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

The state health department urged Victorians \u201cto be prepared \u2013 stay hydrated, stay indoors as much as possible and make sure you check in on loved ones\u201d.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Firefighters battle the blaze in the Longwood area in Victoria\u2019s north. <\/span> Photograph: Sassafras-Ferny Creek CFA<\/p>\n

Firefighters were preparing for extreme fire danger across South Australia\u2019s mid-north, and northern Victoria, building to catastrophic conditions across multiple districts in Victoria on Friday, including the south-west, the Wimmera and northern Victoria, with extreme conditions elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Fires were already burning in several states, with residents affected by bushfires at Longwood and Walwa in Victoria warned to \u201cleave immediately\u201d.<\/p>\n

Severe to extreme heatwave warnings remained in place on Thursday for every state and territory except Queensland, senior meteorologist Sarah Scully said.<\/p>\n

Some of the hottest temperatures recorded by Thursday lunchtime across Australia included 44.9C at Tarcoola in SA, 45.8C at Hopetoun airport in Victoria, 43.7C at Paraburdoo, WA and 43C at Hay, NSW.<\/p>\n

Adelaide residents woke up to 31C on Thursday morning with temperatures hitting 40C before midday, after the city reached a scorching 43C on Wednesday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe heat is intensifying right across southern Australia,\u201d Scully said.<\/p>\n

Extreme temperatures across Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia were expected to hit Canberra and New South Wales from Friday.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, <\/strong>Central Sydney was expected to hit 33C, but temperatures could reach 40C in some western suburbs. A top of 38C was forecast for Canberra, and 31C in Melbourne.<\/p>\n

Sign up: AU Breaking News email<\/p>\n

<\/span>RFS crews are supporting Victorian firefighting efforts, with cross-border strike teams working on a fire in the Mount Lawson State Park area of north-east Victoria.<\/span> Photograph: NSW RFS<\/span>The bush fire was burning in Mount Lawson State Park is approximately 50km east of Albury.<\/span> Photograph: NSW RFS<\/p>\n

Friday was set to be \u201cthe most dangerous day with regards to fires\u201d, Scully said, due to hot, dry and windy conditions, including damaging winds with gusts up to 90km\/h. The Country Fire Authority\u2019s Jason Heffernan said they were bracing for \u201ca very, very dire bushfire day\u201d.<\/p>\n

The last time the state saw similar catastrophic ratings across multiple districts was on 21 November 2019, Victoria\u2019s emergency management commissioner, Tim Wiebusch said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know the devastating impacts we saw in the east of our state during those 2019-20 fires.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCatastrophic fire danger ratings mean that it will be unpredictable, uncontrollable, and fast-moving fires that we will see tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Q&A<\/span><\/p>\n

What happens to the body during a heatwave?<\/h4>\n

<\/span>Show<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Heatwaves put intense stress on the body – particularly the cardiovascular system and kidneys. The heart has to work hard to deliver oxygen and nutrients to organs while also increasing blood flow to extremities. Cardiovascular collapse \u2013 the heart suddenly failing \u2013 is a main cause of heat-related death in Australia.<\/p>\n

Symptoms to watch out for:
– Hot skin<\/p>\n

– Confusion<\/p>\n

– Weakness<\/p>\n

– Cramps<\/p>\n

– Dizziness<\/p>\n

– Vomiting<\/p>\n

– Fainting<\/p>\n

Thank you for your feedback.<\/p>\n

A total fire ban would be in place across the entire state of Victoria on Friday, extended from Thursday\u2019s order in mid-northern South Australia and across the Mallee, northern, north central and north-eastern Victoria and NSW\u2019s southern Riverina.<\/p>\n

The Hume Freeway was closed in both directions on Thursday between Seymour and Violet Town \u2013 a stretch of about 74km.<\/p>\n

Regional V\/line train and bus services would be cancelled in fire districts facing catastrophic danger on Friday. Freight services through those areas would also be suspended.<\/p>\n

Public lands and parks across the state were closed.<\/p>\n

The potential for thunderstorms and dry lightning across much of Victoria and southern NSW was adding to concerns. Storms could bring large hail to the north-eastern ranges of Victoria, Scully said.<\/p>\n

<\/span>The heatwave drove people to beaches as the temperatures soared past 40C on Wednesday. <\/span> Photograph: Michael Currie\/SOPA Images\/Shutterstock<\/span>Swimmers at Marrinawi Cove in Sydney, tried to beat the heat, with Sydney\u2019s temperature to approach highs of 40C in the city\u2019s west.<\/span> Photograph: Bianca de Marchi\/EPA<\/p>\n

Zookeepers at Taronga Zoo in Sydney were making sure animals in their care had plenty of opportunities to cool down.<\/p>\n

Animals that swim, like buffalo and rhino, would have opportunities to take a dip, said behavioural husbandry supervisor, Brendan Host.<\/p>\n

Capybaras preferred to roll around in mud wallows, he said, while keepers had prepared \u201cblood-sicles\u201d \u2013 ice blocks made with meat, blood and water \u2013 for the lions.<\/p>\n

Monarto Safari Park re-opened in SA, after closing on Wednesday due to the extreme weather.<\/p>\n

The heat has already taken a toll on native wildlife, with Bat Rescue SA reporting hundreds of flying fox pups were lost to the heat.<\/p>\n

Wildlife rescue organisation Wires said extreme heat and dehydration could be fatal for many species. The public could assist by leaving out shallow bowls of fresh water in their gardens or balconies, in a shady spot.<\/p>\n

Motorists were advised to be extra vigilant, especially at dusk and dawn, when nocturnal animals may be crossing roads and highways seeking water sources.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Health authorities urged people to avoid strenuous exercise as the heatwave bring scorching temperatures to Adelaide.<\/span> Photograph: Amer Ghazzal\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n

Many places across Victoria recorded their hottest day since 2020, including Melbourne where temperatures climbed to 40.9C. Avalon airport, near Geelong, hit 43.6C, also its hottest day in six years.<\/p>\n

Walpeup in Victoria\u2019s Mallee region hit 45C, with Mildura, Hopetoun and Warracknabeal not far behind at 44C.<\/p>\n

Some coastal towns in Western Australia nudged towards 50C, she said, with 49C recorded in Onslow on the Pilbara coast.<\/p>\n

In Adelaide, suburbs north of the city reached the mid-40s, including Edinburgh at 44.6C. Temperatures were as high as 46C at Ceduna, Port Augusta, Wudinna and Tarcoola.<\/p>\n

In NSW, the Riverina town of Hay was one of the hottest places at 45C. Some suburbs in Sydney\u2019s south-west reached into the high 30s.<\/p>\n

It was hotter than normal in Tasmania, particularly in the north and east, reaching 33.9C at Ouse, about an hour\u2019s drive north-west of Hobart, and in St Helens on the north-east coast.<\/p>\n

Capital city forecast for Friday:<\/strong><\/p>\n