A heatwave began sweeping across southern Australia on the 7th, with temperatures soaring above 40°C in many areas, triggering multiple bushfire alerts.
On the afternoon of the 7th, temperatures in downtown Melbourne reached 42°C. According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, this was Melbourne's hottest day since January 2020. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation also reported that the temperature in Port Augusta, South Australia, reached 46.3°C on the same day.
Weather forecasts from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology indicate that temperatures in parts of southern and southeastern Australia will drop slightly on the 8th, but are expected to rise again to the levels seen on the 7th by the 9th.
Meteorological authorities predict that this heatwave could become the worst heat-related disaster since the 2019–2020 'Black Summer' bushfire season.
Due to approaching bushfires that are not yet fully under control, residents in three towns—including Bungil, 280 kilometers northeast of Melbourne—have been instructed to evacuate or shelter in place. Another alert for four towns, including Longwood, about 120 kilometers north of Melbourne, warned that a nearby bushfire was spreading southeast. Authorities advised residents who cannot safely evacuate to immediately shelter in rooms with two exits and to close all doors, windows, and vents.
At a press conference on the 7th, Victoria's forest fire management agency announced that over 300 firefighters and approximately 12 aircraft were working to control the blaze, with the burned area currently around 1,000 hectares.