Heatwave pushes Melbourne above 42C as Victoria faces catastrophic fire risk

A severe heatwave across south-eastern Australia pushed Melbourne above 42C on Friday, and authorities urged Victorians to stay indoors as the state faced catastrophic bushfire conditions and a statewide total fire ban. Melbourne reached 42.9C at 3:40pm and was forecast to hit 43C, with temperatures up to 45C possible in some suburbs; 44C was recorded in Laverton and Viewbank.

Catastrophic and extreme fire danger ratings were in place across Victoria, with the central district approaching catastrophic at a rating of 99. Officials warned fires were burning out of control in parts of the state, including Longwood and Walwa, and Victoria’s emergency management commissioner, Tim Wiebusch, said fires were expected to be "unpredictable, uncontrollable and fast-moving." Conditions extended across South Australia and the New South Wales Riverina, and heatwave warnings were active for all states and territories except Queensland.

Several locations recorded their hottest January temperatures on record, including Renmark (47.3C) and Tarcoola (48.2C), and overnight minima remained high, with Renmark at 30.9C. The Bureau of Meteorology warned daytime temperatures would be 12–16C above average across much of south-eastern Australia, and senior meteorologist Sarah Scully urged people to stay cool, hydrated and indoors where possible.

Key Topics

World, Victoria, Melbourne, Heatwave, Longwood, Walwa