Victoria heatwave, bushfire warnings: Record-breaking heat hits as communities evacuated, blazes burn

An intense heatwave has authorities on alert on Tuesday, as parts of Australia’s southeast brace for possible record-breaking temperatures and extreme bushfire conditions.

In Victoria, Melbourne is expected to reach 45C, which could challenge the current hottest-ever day record of 46.9C back in 2009, while Mildura, in the state’s north, is expected to reach 49C. The state is under a total fire ban.

“If Mildura does reach (that high), it will be the hottest temperature recorded in Victoria,” senior meteorologist Dean Narramore told AAP.

The last time Victoria saw temperatures that high was during the Black Saturday bushfires, which claimed the lives of 173 people.

Melbourne is predicted to see temperatures of 45C on Tuesday, a nightmare for emergency crews, including firefighters who are already battling out-of-control blazes.

Broken Hill in NSW is preparing for the mercury to hit 47C, while South Australia experienced the worst of the heatwave on Monday. Adelaide broke an Australia Day heat record with a temperature of 44.7, while Ceduna sweltered at 49C.

Bushfires rage across Victoria

The scorching conditions have alarmed firefighters, who are battling the out-of-control Carlisle River bushfire in the Otways.

The community of Gellibrand, and surrounding areas from Yuulong to Aireys Inlet, are under Watch and Act - Evacuate Immediately warnings. Spanning from the southern tip of Cape Otway to Colac and Birregurra, a dense, forested area is under threat.

From sunset on Monday, authorities say evacuation “may be considered life-threatening”, meaning anyone still in the area may now be unable to leave.

“Police and SES are conducting door-knocking in the area, but they may not reach every property,” Vic Emergency warned.

“Don’t wait for police. The message is to leave today.”

Adding to fears, strong wings and thunderstorms are expected in the area on Tuesday.

BOM’s deputy incident controller Alistair Drayton says the gusty change is worrying, with authorities urging residents living in Gellibrand, Kawarren, Beech Forest, Forrest and Barongarook to evacuate.

“The conditions (on Tuesday) mean the fire could spread quickly and unpredictably. We strongly recommend people in affected areas to enact their bushfire plan, and leave early to protect themselves and their families,” he said.

Bushfires are also burning near Seymour, in the Alpine National Park and the Wabba Wilderness Park.

Health warnings issued

The heatwave conditions have also sparked a warning from paramedics, who responded to 11 cases of children locked in cars over the weekend as temperatures soared into the 40s in Victoria.

Ambulance Victoria urged the community never to leave children, pets, or older people unattended in vehicles.

“The temperature inside a vehicle can double and become deadly within minutes,” director of emergency management Dale Armstrong said.

“It is particularly dangerous for children to be left inside vehicles, as a child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult.”

Vic Emergency said: “Heat can cause serious and potentially fatal health problems such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, trigger sudden events like heart attack or stroke, or worsen medical conditions like kidney or lung disease.”

“People over 65 years old, the very young and those with a pre-existing medical condition are most at risk.”

Changes to the Australian Open due to heatwave

Australian Open officials are taking drastic measures as the season-opening grand slam faces the prospect of attempting to play on through potentially some of the hottest recorded temperatures in Melbourne’s history.

Women’s world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka takes on Iva Jovic in the opening match on Rod Laver Arena, where the roof is likely to be open at the 11.30am start.

Crucially, that will also allow play to begin on outdoor courts under the current heat policy.

But suspensions are certain later in the day as officials monitor the Heat Stress Scale (HSS) - the system implemented in 2019 - amid concerns over player and spectator safety.

Four climate factors - air temperature, radiant heat, humidity and wind speed - are measured from various locations at Melbourne Park to determine the HSS measure.

Play on the outside courts and roof closures on the main arenas will follow the Open’s extreme heat protocols.

Officials on Monday confirmed a series of measures to combat the heat, including allowing ground pass ticket holders access to Margaret Court Arena.

Ballkids will have reduced rotations, increased recovery times, and additional relief squads.

And the AO wheelchair championships have been postponed and will start on Wednesday.

It comes after officials were forced to implement extreme heat protocols on Saturday, when play was suspended on outdoor courts and roofs were closed on the major venues.

- With AAP