2 months ago
5
Victoria is bracing for a days-long heatwave of a severity not seen since the 2019-20 Black Summer, as emergency services provide an update on the weather and the state’s bushfire preparedness this afternoon.
The heatwave – which is forecast to reach 41 degrees in Melbourne on Wednesday – is set to affect much of Australia.
Regional Victorian firefighters expect Friday to be the worst day in terms of fire risk.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting the heatwave to reach severe levels across most of northern and eastern Victoria on Thursday, and reach extreme levels over the northeast by Friday.
The extreme heat is forecast to travel north on Saturday but will still affect Mallacoota and the state’s eastern fringe on that day.
The mercury is set to climb to 41 in metropolitan Melbourne on Wednesday, before peaking at 38 on Friday. A cool change forecast for the early hours of Saturday is expected to bring rain and a top temperature of just 23.
A heatwave is expected to hit parts of the country.
Extreme fire danger is forecast for the Wimmera region of western Victoria on Wednesday, and for other parts of Victoria on Thursday and Friday.
Chief executive of the Country Fire Authority Jason Heffernan said on Tuesday he expected to see a number of total fire bans declared throughout the week, especially on Friday.
“We are asking communities, in light of this, to have your bushfire survival plan, that you know where to get information, have the VicEmergency app downloaded and listen to your emergency broadcaster,” he said.
“If you don’t have a plan, the best plan for Friday is just leave early.”
Matt Whitaker and dog Tua swimming at Port Melbourne Beach on Tuesday.Credit: Chris Hopkins
The CFA has already battled several large blazes this fire season: Two major grass fires on December 18 in Goomalibee and Charlton saw hundreds of firefighters deployed and more than 4400 hectares burnt.
Power distributor PowerCor, which covers the north and west of Victoria, is urging its customers to pre-cool their homes before the heat hits, and then keep their air conditioners to 24 degrees “to stay comfortable but not use too much power”.
“[During high heat] turn off and unplug sensitive electronic equipment like televisions and computers,” advice on its website reads.
Port Melbourne Beach on Tuesday.Credit: Photograph by Chris Hopkins
Most Viewed in National
Loading
