Extreme heat on weekend expected to hit South Australia, Victoria and NSW, increasing risk of bushfiresAustralia weather and fires: NSW firefighters 'give their all' ahead of worsening conditionsNSW firefighters are “giving their all” to contain large and complex bushfires before conditions worsen amid forecast high temperatures and dry winds. “Because these fires are large, they’re complex and they’re very prone to the elements, once these weather conditions turn around, we know we’re going to see increased fire activity,” he said. Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink said increasing services to the homeless was vital in the extreme heat. As the weather starts heating up before it drops again on New Year’s Eve, emergency services have urged Victorians to be extremely aware of weather conditions. Smoke from fires burning in Gippsland and NSW is currently affecting air quality in the north-east of Victoria.

Source: The Guardian December 26, 2019 21:58 UTC