Authorities have warned millions of residents of the increased threat of bushfires over the weekend as large swathes of the country swelter amid an early autumn heatwave.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the blistering conditions were driven by hot winds emanating from the centre of the continent.
Temperatures are 6C above the March average and parts of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia could go past 40C.
Adelaide is set to cop the worst of the heat with tops of 39C on Saturday while it will surge past 41C in it’s outer northern suburbs.
The bureau warned the combination of the heat and windy conditions across SA made the threat of bushfires real.
‘It could be quite dangerous in some areas,’ the bureau’s Jonathan How said.
High fire danger warnings have also been put in place for Victoria and southeastern parts of NSW.
‘Multiple bushfires are burning across the state this morning, particularly in the southwest, with a number of advice warnings in place,’ a VicEmergency statement read.
The Bureau of Meteorology says heat was driven by hot winds coming from the centre of the country
Residents have been told to ‘stay informed’ as a heatwave brings the right bushfire conditions
‘An Air quality warning is also current for smoke from fires burning at Budj Bim National Park and Lower Glenelg National Park.’
Bushfire warnings have been issued for Breakaway Creek, Lake Condah and Macarthur in Victoria’s west.
A bushfire was reported near Marysville, northeast of Melbourne, on Saturday morning, which was not under control.
Residents in Buragwonduc, Crookayan, Glencairn, Glenfalloch, Koorool, Licola, Licola North, Nap Nap Marra, Sargood, Tamboritha, Worrowing, Wrathung, Wrixon have been told to ‘stay informed’ as an out of control bushfire was reported at the Mt Margaret Walking Track in the Alpine National Park.
‘There is currently no threat to local communities, but you should continue to stay informed and monitor weather conditions and warnings,’ VicEmergency said.
Despite the bushfire threat, Victoria will be slightly cooler than SA with temperatures forecast to reach 34C in Melbourne and up to 37C in the outer suburbs on Saturday before cooling off on Sunday.
Temperatures will get to 32C in Sydney on Saturday, but edge towards 40 (37C) in Richmond and Penrith.
On Sunday the city is expected to reach 37C as is western Sydney but it should be just 23C on Monday as the heatwave eases.
Canberra will cop warm weather with temperatures anticipated to get to 35C on Saturday and 33C on Sunday.
