Extreme heatwave may break records in Victoria as firefighters warn of bushfire risk in very dry' state

"It was 26.1C as the sun rose on Tuesday over the small Victorian town of Ouyen, the Mallee town of 1,170 people whose forecast high of 49C would break the state's temperature record of 48.8C set in Hopetoun on Black Saturday in 2009. The area has not recorded a drop of rainfall all January, and only 13.6mm in December. The fire danger rating on Tuesday was extreme."

"Victoria faced both heat and fire emergencies, Country Fire Authority chief officer, Jason Heffernan, said. Tuesday was not a day for complacency, he said, urging people to restrict any unnecessary travel. With six major fires burning across the state, the high to extreme fire conditions would increase the risk of fire spread. Authorities were particularly concerned about the Carlisle River fire in the Otways, which may pose a serious threat to homes, properties and lives. A statewide total fire ban was in place."

"Four zones around the Carlisle River fire have been asked to evacuate immediately. Heffernan said the biggest bushfire danger would come in the afternoon on Tuesday. We do expect that fire will run today under the conditions, those hot northerly winds, but it's the change that's going to come through about 5pm with some really punchy winds, that is likely to do most of the damage and drive that fire further into the Otways, he said."

Ouyen in the Mallee recorded 26.1C at sunrise and faced a forecast high of 49C that would exceed Victoria's 48.8C record from Hopetoun on Black Saturday 2009. The region recorded no rainfall in January and only 13.6mm in December. Fire danger ratings were extreme across much of Victoria and parts of South Australia. Six major fires burned across Victoria and authorities implemented a statewide total fire ban. The Carlisle River fire in the Otways posed a serious threat to homes and lives, with four zones asked to evacuate immediately. Strong northerly winds and an expected wind change around 5pm raised the risk of rapid fire spread and further damage. Residents were urged to restrict unnecessary travel and not be complacent.

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