Australia warns of widespread bushfire risk due to extreme heat

Speaking to reporters, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed that the bushfires had destroyed six homes. Ms. Allan said there were signs that the heatwave next week would be extreme, especially from February 28-29. Relevant authorities will meet on February 25 to plan for the coming week.

More than 15 bushfires raged across Victoria on February 25, with the most serious near several remote towns, according to the state emergency agency. About 1,000 firefighters and more than 50 aircraft have been battling the fires since they began. The fires have also killed livestock, destroyed property and forced more than 2,000 people to flee western towns and evacuate to the city of Ballarat, 95 kilometres west of Melbourne.

In response to the situation, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking to reporters in Frankston, pledged maximum support for Victoria. He stressed that the bushfires in Victoria are a reminder that continued action is needed to address the threat of climate change.

Australia is facing one of its worst bushfire seasons since the disastrous 2019-20 “Black Summer” that devastated the country’s eastern forests, killing millions of animals and blanketing cities in toxic smoke. The country is also suffering from the effects of El Nino, which is often accompanied by extreme weather events such as bushfires, cyclones and drought.