Bushfire rage in southeast Australia as heatwave sends temperatures soaring

SYDNEY — A record-breaking heatwave is impacting southeast Australia, with temperature records tumbling in parts of Victoria and South Australia.More than 1,000 families in Victoria are being urged to evacuate as bushfires burn across the state. Emergency services said a fast-moving fire in the Otways, a heavily forested region nearly 200km southwest of Melbourne, had breached containment lines and could spread further amid record heat and gusty winds.The fire, which has already burned some 10,000 hectares, is threatening towns like Gellibrand, Kawarren, Beech Forest, Forrest, Barongarook, and even coastal Lorne.There are fears that several properties have been lost in a fire burning through the Otways region. It’s one of several out-of-control blazes that firefighters are battling in extremely difficult conditions.Thousands of homes in south-western Victoria may be without electricity for days after the bushfire crippled one of the main power lines in the Otway Ranges.On Tuesday evening, electricity distributor Powercor said more than 2800 customers had lost power in Carlisle River, Lavers Hill, Johanna, Cape Otway, Beech Forrest and Gellibrand.Two fires are currently burning at “emergency level” according to local broadcaster ABC News. Fire officials warn that the situation is changing rapidly and have asked locals to stay up to date with the latest warnings.The Bureau of Meteorology says that parts of the state have seen all-time temperature highs — with one area hitting a high of 50C. Melbourne has recorded a temperature of 41C.Chris Hardman, the chief fire officer at Forest Fire Management Victoria, had told reporters that the state’s heat conditions were making conditions “incredibly difficult” for firefighters.Country Fire Authority (CFA) chief officer Jason Hefferman told ABC Radio that there was a danger that the Otways fire could produce ember showers “which can create more fires in front of the main fire”.It is unclear what damage has been caused by the fires, but Australia’s Deputy Incident Controller Alistair Drayton, said he had “anecdotal evidence” that some homes had been lost.He also praised the “spectacular” work done by firefighters so far.Apart from Victoria, where there is a total fire ban, South Australia has also been placed under alert for “extreme” fire risk.Meanhwile health officials have warned that the prolonged heat carries significant health risks.The elderly, children and people with underlying health conditions are most at risk, Victoria chief health officer Caroline McElnay told reporters.”It can cause potentially fatal health problems such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke but it can also trigger events like heart attacks or stroke.” — Agencies