Extreme Fire Warnings as Southern Heatwave Continues

Victoria’s emergency services are preparing for more perilous weather conditions, a week after bushfires and storms razed properties and left half a million homes and businesses in the dark. Temperatures are expected to top 40 degrees in parts of the state, with storms bringing 80km/h winds and dry lightning into the afternoon. Extreme fire warnings have been also issued in SA, Tasmania and WA, where emergency services have been fighting blazes since early summer. Total fire bans have been declared for six Victorian regions, with the Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, North Central, South West and Central districts all facing an extreme fire danger rating....