Millions of people in southeast Australia are being warned to prepare for severe heat and the possibility of fires as temperatures are set to soar. Forecasts indicate that temperatures across Victoria, Australia’s second-most populous state, and parts of South Australia will surpass 40 degrees Celsius on Monday, prompting widespread emergency warnings.
In Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, the temperature is expected to reach 41 degrees Celsius, marking the city’s hottest December day since 2019. As a result, a total fire ban has been declared for most of Victoria, and firefighting authorities across the state are on high alert.
Meteorologists have cautioned that dry lightning storms could exacerbate the fire risk. Jason Heffernan, chief executive of the Country Fire Authority, stated at a press conference on Sunday evening that the combination of intense heat and dry winds could create dangerous fire conditions in western Victoria.
“If fires do start in the landscape, they will be hard to suppress; they will spread very quickly,” he said.
To combat potential outbreaks, a Boeing 737 Fireliner capable of carrying and deploying 15,000 liters of water or fire retardant has been dispatched to the state. Chris Hardman, chief fire officer from Forest Fire Management Victoria, announced that 54 firefighting aircraft have been strategically positioned across the state to ensure rapid response to high-risk areas.
The state government has issued a heat health warning, advising residents to stay indoors and urging them to check on those most at risk, including the elderly.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
