Property has been lost to an emergency level bushfire in Victoria as crews work to contain the growing blaze ahead of catastrophic fire conditions on Friday.
Two emergency warnings remain in force for a fire in Longwood, northern Victoria, with residents told to leave immediately before conditions become too dangerous.
It comes as the most intense heatwave to hit Australia in six years plays out in southeastern Australia.
South Australians will continue to endure scorching temperatures that could peak above 40 degrees Celsius in parts of the state on Thursday, after being sweltering in 40 degrees Celsius heat.
Most of the state is experiencing severe heat waves, with a total fire ban in the mid-north.
Conditions may be the worst since the summer 2019-2020 bushfires, which killed more than 30 people and burned millions of hectares.
After temperatures reached the mid-40s in inland and northern parts of Victoria, and 40 degrees Celsius in Melbourne, southern parts of the state will get a small reprieve on Thursday, but northern areas won’t be so lucky.
The heat will move into the ACT and NSW from Thursday into the weekend, with the national capital expected to reach a high of 38 degrees Celsius on Thursday and Friday, while Sydney should reach 42 degrees Celsius on the final heatwave day on Saturday.
Forest fires and total fire bans
Victoria’s Country Fire Authority (CFA) chief officer Jason Heffernan said there were early reports of property damage in Longwood.
“We’re having teams come out today to assess that, but the initial reports coming in here indicate that we have some level of losses,” he told ABC TV on Thursday.
CFA crews have confirmed damage to horse pastures in the region.
A total fire ban will apply to the Mallee, North Central, North East and Northern Country regions on Thursday.
Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said two buildings had been destroyed in the Longwood fire, but it was not yet certain whether they were homes.
Victoria faces fire danger at the upper end of the extreme on Friday, with the Wimmera, Northern Country and North Central districts expected to reach catastrophic levels, State Control Center spokesman David Nugent said.
“Catastrophic fire hazard is the most dangerous set of firefighting conditions for us,” he said.
“If a fire breaks out and spreads, there is a good chance that lives and homes will be lost.”
Bushfire Manager Chris Hardman, Victoria’s chief fire officer, warned that fighting fires during Friday’s conditions will be impossible when the entire state is expected to face extreme fire danger.
“These are the days when many assets are lost,” he said.
It was also a warm day for Tasmania on Wednesday, with low to severe heatwaves in the state’s northeast.
Before Sydneysiders bear the brunt of Saturday’s 42 degree Celsius peak, people with asthma or other respiratory conditions are being warned to avoid outdoor activities as the heatwave is expected to cause poor air quality in the city’s south-west and north-west.
The ozone, which can worsen lung and health problems, typically builds up during warm conditions, peaking in mid-afternoon and decreasing as temperatures drop, the NSW Environment Department said.
The Royal Australian College of GPs is urging the public to prioritize hydration, rest indoors and monitor people who are more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Children and pets should never be left alone in cars as the number of calls involving family members locked in vehicles has increased by 26 percent year-on-year, according to the Royal Automobile Association of South Africa.
Australia experienced its fourth warmest year on record in 2025, while 2024 was the country’s second warmest year.
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