Intense Heatwave Fuels Emergency Fires Across Victoria, Australia

Thu Jan 29 2026 18:34:07 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Firefighters are facing critical conditions as record high temperatures exacerbate multiple active wildfires in Australia's Victoria region. Emergency warnings have been issued as communities evacuate.

In Victoria, Australia, firefighters are battling at least six major blazes fueled by a record-breaking heatwave, with two fires at emergency level. Local authorities have warned citizens to stay informed about quickly changing conditions as temperatures soar, with some areas reaching highs of 48.9°C. Health officials are also alerting the public about significant health risks posed by the prolonged heat. A growing number of studies indicate that the severity of such heatwaves is intensified by climate change.

Firefighters in the Australian state of Victoria are battling at least six major fires as a record-breaking heatwave hits the country's south-east.

Two fires are currently burning at emergency level according to local broadcaster ABC News. Several communities have been issued emergency warnings to either evacuate, watch and wait, or shelter in place.

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 48.9°C. Melbourne has recorded a temperature of 41°C.

Chris Hardman, the chief fire officer at Forest Fire Management Victoria, stated that the state's heat conditions were making firefighting efforts incredibly difficult.

Two specific fires - in Camperdown and Otways - are currently at emergency levels, with a new fire in the Larralea area causing significant concern.

Country Fire Authority (CFA) chief officer Jason Heffernan mentioned the risk of ember showers from the Otways fire that could spark additional fires in its path.

While the extent of damage remains unclear, Deputy Incident Controller Alistair Drayton acknowledged anecdotal evidence of home losses.

In addition to the fire situation in Victoria, South Australia has also been alerted for extreme fire risk as conditions worsen.

Health officials warn that prolonged heat poses serious risks, particularly to vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children, emphasizing the potential for heat exhaustion and other serious health events.

Scientists attribute the worsening intensity of heatwaves to human-caused climate change, predicting an increase in such extreme conditions as global temperatures continue to rise.