Hundreds of residents in rural parts of southeast Australia have been ordered to evacuate as a runaway bushfire threatened communities in the Otways region during extreme heat.
Temperatures reached record levels in the eastern state of Victoria, according to preliminary figures, reports RTE.
“Conditions are heating up across the state, and we’re seeing those 40 degree temperatures roll in,” said Country Fire Authority chief officer Jason Heffernan.
“Firefighters on the ground will now start to really notice how hot it is getting, and they’ll really start to notice the picking up of the winds,” he told public broadcaster ABC, reports RTE.
Emergency authorities issued immediate evacuation alerts for hundreds of people living in four rural towns endangered by the blaze in the Otways region southwest of Melbourne.
People in three additional nearby rural areas were also advised to leave, with warnings stating: “Due to extreme weather today, the fire is predicted to rapidly expand and pose a threat to communities”, reports RTE.
A total fire ban was declared across the state, where six major bushfires were actively burning.
In the towns of Walpeup and Hopetoun in northwestern Victoria, temperatures climbed to 48.9C, according to the Bureau of Meteorology’s website, reports RTE.
That reading edged above the state’s previous record of 48.8C, though officials said it would need further verification before being confirmed.
The heatwave also forced the Australian Open to shut the roof on its centre court to protect players and spectators, with Melbourne forecast to reach 45C, reports RTE.
Hot air has spread across large areas of Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales.
“Prolonged heat can affect anyone and when high heat continues for a number of days it can affect your health,” said Victoria chief health officer Caroline McElnay, reports RTE.
She warned that older people, children and those with existing health conditions face the greatest risk.
“It can cause potentially fatal health problems such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke but it can also trigger events like heart attacks or stroke,” Ms McElnay told reporters, reports RTE.
She advised people to remain cool and hydrated and to be alert for symptoms including dizziness, cramps, a rapid pulse, elevated body temperature and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness.
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