Escalating Heatwave Heightens Bushfire Risk Across Australia

Share and Follow

Authorities are bracing for uncontrollable bushfires that could threaten lives and homes, as parts of Australia face catastrophic fire conditions in the country’s most intense heatwave in years.

South Australians will continue to endure scorching temperatures that could peak in the high-40Cs in parts of the state on Thursday after sweltering in 40C heat.

Most of the state faces severe heatwave conditions, with a total fire ban in the mid-north region.

The conditions may be the worst since the 2019-20 summer bushfires that killed more than 30 people and burned through millions of hectares.

After the mercury reached the mid-40s in inland and northern parts of Victoria and 40C in Melbourne, southern parts of the state will have a slight reprieve on Thursday, but northern areas will have no such luck.

The ACT and NSW regions are bracing for a surge in temperatures from Thursday through the weekend. Canberra is anticipated to reach a sweltering 38°C on both Thursday and Friday, while Sydney is expected to hit a scorching 42°C as the heatwave culminates on Saturday.

Meanwhile, a bushfire is actively consuming over 1,000 hectares at Mount Lawson, straddling the border of Victoria and NSW. Additionally, two uncontrolled fires are blazing at Longwood near the Hume Freeway and southward toward Ruffy.

Experts warn that if any new fires ignite and spread, the potential for loss of life and property is significant.

There have been no reported injuries or structures damaged, but Victorian Emergency Management commissioner Tim Wiebusch said there was potential for losses.

A total fire ban is in place for the Mallee, North Central, North East and Northern Country regions on Thursday.

Victoria faces fire dangers in the upper end of extreme on Friday, with the districts of Wimmera, Northern Country and North Central forecast to meet catastrophic levels, State Control Centre spokesman David Nugent said.

“Catastrophic fire danger rating is the most dangerous set of conditions for us for firefighting,” he said.

The southern parts of the state may experience a brief respite from the intense heat on Thursday; however, extreme fire risks will continue to threaten northern regions, according to Jason Heffernan, CEO of the Country Fire Authority.

Wiebusch said severe and extreme heat was being felt across the state, but the worst was yet to come with more intense conditions forecast on Friday.

“Victoria is one of the most fire-prone states in the world,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

“We see conditions like this on a typical fire season, and certainly, Friday is one of those days that we’ve not seen for some time.”

Hot weather can lead to elevated ozone levels, which may worsen respiratory and health conditions. The NSW Environment Department notes that ozone typically intensifies during hot spells, peaking in the mid-to-late afternoon before diminishing as temperatures drop.

Forest Fire Management Victoria chief fire officer Chris Hardman warned suppressing fires during Friday’s conditions will be impossible when the entire state is expected to face extreme fire danger.

“These are the days where we see lots of assets lost,” he said.

It was also a warm day for Tasmania on Wednesday with low to severe heatwaves building in the state’s northeast.

Before Sydneysiders feel the brunt of the 42C peak on Saturday, people with asthma or other respiratory conditions are warned to avoid outdoor exercise because the heatwave is expected to cause poor air quality in the city’s southwest and northwest.

The ozone, which can exacerbate lung and health issues, generally builds during hot conditions, peaking in the mid-to-late afternoon and easing off as temperatures fall, according to NSW’s Environment Department.

The Royal Australian College of GPs is urging the public to prioritise hydration, rest indoors and check on people more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Children and pets should never be left alone in cars, as the number of call-outs involving family members locked inside vehicles increased 26 per cent year-on-year, SA’s Royal Automobile Association said.

Australia experienced its fourth-warmest year on record in 2025, while 2024 was the nation’s second-warmest year.