Victoria, Australia, Faces Severe Wildfire Threat Amid Heat Wave and Winds

Communities and firefighters in Victoria, Australia’s second-most populous state, braced for potentially devastating wildfires during the holiday week, The Associated Press reported (12-26-24). A heat wave, combined with erratic winds, created the most dangerous fire conditions in several years.

With temperatures in Victoria reaching 37°C (99°F) and wind changes expected, fire chiefs issued urgent warnings to rural communities.

Several fires were already burning uncontrollably across Victoria, and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll warned that more fires are likely in the coming days. The largest uncontained fire is located in the Grampians National Park and has burned 55,000 hectares (136,000 acres) so far.

Parts of neighboring South Australia and New South Wales are also on high alert due to the heat wave and elevated fire risks.

The hot, dry conditions are being compared to the Black Summer fires that affected Australia’s two most populous states in 2019–20. Those fires burned through 104,000 km² (40,150 mi², an area roughly the size of Ohio), destroyed thousands of homes, and claimed 33 lives.