Severe Heat and Fire Risks Prompt Urgent Preparations for Millions in Australia
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Sydney, Dec 16 (NationPress) An urgent alert has been issued for millions of individuals residing in southeast Australia to brace for extreme heat and potential fire outbreaks.
Forecasts indicate that temperatures in Victoria, the second-most populated state in Australia, along with certain regions of South Australia, are expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius on Monday, leading to a series of emergency warnings.
In Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria, the temperature is anticipated to reach 41 degrees Celsius, marking the hottest December day since 2019.
A total fire ban has been imposed across most of Victoria, with firefighting teams statewide placed on heightened alert.
Meteorologists have cautioned that dry lightning storms could significantly increase the fire hazard.
Jason Heffernan, the chief executive of the Country Fire Authority, stated in a press briefing on Sunday evening that the combination of high temperatures and dry winds would create extremely dangerous fire conditions in the western regions of Victoria.
"If fires ignite in the area, they will be difficult to control and will spread rapidly," he warned.
A Boeing 737 Fireliner, capable of carrying and releasing 15,000 liters of water or fire retardant, has been dispatched to assist in firefighting efforts, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Chris Hardman, the chief fire officer from Forest Fire Management Victoria, mentioned that 54 firefighting aircraft have been strategically relocated throughout the state to ensure rapid response to fire threats.
The state government has released a heat health advisory, urging citizens to remain indoors and check on vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly.
Last month, Australian emergency authorities raised alarms regarding an increasing bushfire risk along the country's southern coast as summer approaches.
The National Council for Fire and Emergency Services (AFAC) published the Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Summer 2024, indicating a heightened fire risk for extensive regions of Australia.
It reported that nearly half of Victoria, the southern coastline of Western Australia (WA), and sections of South Australia (SA) are facing increased fire hazards.
Additionally, vast areas of the Northern Territory (NT) outback, as well as inland regions of New South Wales (NSW) and WA's central west coast, are also under threat, according to AFAC.
AFAC highlighted that average temperatures across Australia from April to October were the third-highest since 1910, with rainfall levels in the southern region falling below average.
"The dry conditions experienced during winter and spring in southern Australia have left the landscape highly susceptible to bushfires. Communities should be prepared for bushfires and have a response plan ready. While we hope for rainfall, it is prudent to plan as though it may not occur," stated AFAC chief executive Rob Webb.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) released a separate long-range forecast for summer, suggesting that temperatures will likely remain above average across most of Australia.
However, it also predicts increased rainfall during the summer months, especially in December.
"The period from October to April represents Australia's peak season for severe thunderstorms, tropical cyclones, flooding, heatwaves, and bushfires," the BoM reported.
