Part of Australia’s Victoria state has been declared a disaster zone after dozens of fires tore through 300,000 hectares, destroying homes, during an extreme heatwave.
The state’s premier, Jacinta Allan, said that around 30,000 homes and businesses are also currently without power.
In an update on X, she said there were currently 10 major fire fronts and further 20 fires being closely monitored. “Conditions remain dangerous and unpredictable,” Ms Allan added.
Among those, there were 16 emergency warnings – the highest category – for major fires at Walwa, Longwood, Wonnangatta and Ravenswood.
In the town of Malmsbury, 55 miles (88km) northwest of Melbourne, local fire crews posted footage of teams tackling a blaze.
In the neighbouring northern state of New South Wales, there were 47 fires, with four not yet contained, according to the latest update posted online.
NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Trent Curtin predicted “very difficult weather conditions”.
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“Some of these fires, if they get going today, will be very difficult to contain and control,” he added.
Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the nation faced a day of “extreme and dangerous” fire weather.
The fires in Victoria are the worst to hit the state since the Black Summer blazes of 2019-2020 which destroyed an area the size of Turkey and killed 33 people.
Extreme heatwave conditions
Forecasters have issued warnings for severe to extreme heatwave conditions, although temperatures are expected to ease slightly in many areas, from highs of high thirties to low forties recorded on Friday.
However, the Bureau of Meteorology still predicted maximum temperatures of 43C (109F) in Sydney and 37C (98F) in Canberra on Saturday.
The largest fire in Victoria, near the town of Longwood, about 69 miles (112 km) north of Melbourne, has burned 130,000 hectares of bushland, destroying 30 structures, vineyards and agricultural land, authorities said.
Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush revealed three people previously reported missing are now safe.
They made contact with officials who became concerned when a fire destroyed their home.
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Flooding risk from cyclone
While some areas are facing severe temperatures, there is concern about the risk of flooding from another approaching weather system.
A tropical low-pressure system is heading towards the coast of Queensland, and forecasters predict it could strengthen into a category one tropical cyclone over the coming hours, with the potential to cause “damaging wind gusts” and “dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding”.
The Bureau of Meteorology said it currently had sustained winds near the centre of 75 kph (46 mph) with wind gusts to 100 kph (62 mph).
Under its current track, it is forecast to make landfall between Cardwell and Bowen, south of Cairns, in the early hours of Sunday (late Saturday evening UK time).
