Extreme heatwave may break records in Victoria as firefighters warn of bushfire risk in ‘very dry’ state | Bushfires

A day of record heat is looming for Victoria, with temperatures expected to reach 49C in Mallee and Melbourne facing its hottest day since Black Saturday 2009.

It was 26.1C as the sun rose on Tuesday over the small Victorian town of Ouyen, the Mallee town of 1,170 whose predicted maximum temperature of 49C would break the state temperature record of 48.8C set at Hopetoun on Black Saturday in 2009.

The area recorded no drop in rainfall throughout January, and only 13.6 mm in December. On Tuesday, the fire danger level was extreme.

Victoria has been dealing with heat and fire emergencies, Country Fire Authority director Jason Heffernan said. Tuesday was “not a day for complacency”, he said, calling on people to restrict unnecessary travel.

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With six major fires ravaging the state, high to extreme fire conditions would increase the risk of fire spreading. Authorities were particularly concerned about the Carlisle River fire in the Otways, which could pose a serious threat to homes, properties and lives. A total statewide fire ban was in effect.

Fire danger was extreme across much of South Australia, including eastern Eyre Peninsula, mid-north, Mount Lofty Ranges, Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Riverland, Murraylands and throughout the southeast. Total fire bans were in place in these districts.

Heffernan told the ABC it would be a difficult day not only for firefighters, but for Victorians in general.

Four areas around the Carlisle River fire have been asked to evacuate immediately. Heffernan said the greatest bushfire risk would come Tuesday afternoon.

“We’re expecting the fire to start today in the conditions, those warm northerly winds, but it’s the change that’s going to happen around 5 p.m. with really strong winds, that’s likely to do most of the damage and push this fire further into the Otways,” he said.

“Today is the time to not be complacent. Even though we are focused on the Walwa and Carlisle River fires, to be frank, the state is very, very dry. Any fire that takes hold will be a challenge for the community.”

He said communities should ensure they take care of the elderly, young and infirm during the heatwave.

January and all-time records are expected to fall in parts of eastern South Australia and across Victoria on Tuesday, with temperatures approaching 50C in inland areas, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Ouyen and Mildura in north-west Victoria are expected to reach 49C.

Ouyen came close to the record just two weeks ago, peaking at 47.5°C on Thursday January 8. Tuesday is the fifth day in a row that temperatures will exceed 40°C – and four more days above 40°C are expected to follow, totaling nine possible full days of extreme temperatures of 40°C+.

For many in Victoria, the heatwave would be difficult to understand, senior meteorologist Jonathan How said. Anything above 48°C was extremely rare for the state.

Maximum temperatures of 45C were forecast in Melbourne, the hottest day for the city since Black Saturday, when temperatures reached 46.4C. Play would continue at the Australian Open, under extreme heat protocols.

The heatwave on Monday saw Adelaide hit 44.7C just after 5pm and as high as 46.5C in northern suburbs Elizabeth. Ceduna, on the Eyre Peninsula, reached a scorching 49.5C. There was little relief overnight, with Adelaide waking up to 35C at 6am.

Victoria’s chief health officer, Dr Caroline McElnay, said the prolonged heat, along with high nighttime temperatures, posed an increased risk of heat-related illnesses.

“Heat-related illnesses can happen quickly, so it’s important to know the warning signs,” McElnay said.

“Telling symptoms include heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, headache, pale or clammy skin, or feeling unusually faint or confused. If anyone experiences signs of heatstroke, such as very high body temperature, red, burning skin, confusion, or loss of consciousness, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.”

In inland areas of Victoria, South Africa and New South Wales, intense to extreme heat, with temperatures between 40C and 40C, is expected to persist into next weekend.

More records could be broken on Wednesday as heat spreads into inland and western New South Wales and north-eastern Victoria.

Tomorrow’s heat will “take center stage in inland NSW”, How said.

This is Australia’s second major heatwave for January, following one earlier in January, which analysts said was five times more likely due to global warming.

The climate crisis has increased the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves and bushfires.

Warmer-than-average days and nights are expected to continue through April across much of the country, according to the latest long-range forecast. Sea surface temperatures would remain warmer than the global average, including around Australia.

– with additional reporting from Nick Visser