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South-eastern Australia at risk of 'catastrophic' fires Searing temperatures fan Australia wildfires
(about 1 hour later)
Residents in south-eastern Australia have been warned of the risk of "catastrophic" fires fanned by high winds and record temperatures. High winds and record temperatures have fanned fires in south-east Australia, as the prime minister warned of a "very dangerous day".
More than 100 fires have already been reported in New South Wales, where residents in areas prone to bushfires have been advised to leave their homes. More than 100 fires have already been reported in New South Wales, with residents in some areas urged to leave.
Firefighters are tackling a big bush fire in neighbouring Victoria and concerns remain high in Tasmania, the area worst hit at the weekend. An uncontrolled fire is burning by the Tasman peninsula, near areas already hit by blazes over the weekend.
The area is likened to a tinderbox. Teams in Victoria are also fighting a blaze, as Australia's heat wave continues.
href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs43.pdf" >In a statement, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology revealed that for each of the first six days of 2013, the "national area-average" had been in the top 20 hottest days on record. It was the first time in Australia that temperatures over 39C had been recorded on five consecutive days, the bureau said. Four areas in New South Wales have been given a href="http://www.fire.tas.gov.au/Show?pageId=colFireDangerRatings" >"catastrophic" fire danger rating, meaning that if fires break out they will be uncontrollable and fast-moving, so residents should leave.
'Catastrophic level' Prime Minister Julia Gillard said residents had to stay alert.
A total ban on the lighting of fires, including barbecues, is in place in Tasmania and in New South Wales, where temperatures are expected to climb to more than 43 degrees centigrade on Tuesday. "The word catastrophic is being used for good reason," she said. "So it is very important that people keep themselves safe, that they listen to local authorities and local warnings.
Winds of up to 80kph (50mph) have also been forecast. "This is a very dangerous day."
The Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, said 21 of those fires were burning uncontained and these "could be influenced by the adverse weather and take a run." Record heat
"It's shaping up to be a very difficult day," Mr Fitzsimmons added. The fires and warnings follow days of searing heat. href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs43.pdf" >In a statement, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology revealed that for each of the first six days of 2013, the "national area-average" temperature had been in the top 20 hottest days on record.
"You don't get conditions worse than this. We are at the catastrophic level and clearly in those areas leaving early is your safest option." It was also the first time that average national top temperatures over 39C had been recorded on five consecutive days, the bureau said.
A big blaze has already started in Yarrabin, 100km (60 miles) south of Canberra. The RFS say it is out of control and have advised residents to seek shelter, saying it is too late to leave. Bans on lighting fires are in place across New South Wales, Canberra, Tasmania and Victoria.
In New South Wales, temperatures had passed 40C by midday at the coast. Winds of up to 80kph (50mph) have also been forecast.
All national parks, state forests and reserves have been closed to the public and many tourists are reported to be leaving campsites.
State Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said 21 fires were burning uncontained and these "could be influenced by the adverse weather and take a run."
"It's shaping up to be a very difficult day," he added. "You don't get conditions worse than this."
More than 100 houses were destroyed in Tasmania over the weekend by fire. Teams have been searching through destroyed buildings but no deaths have been reported.
A blaze between Forcett and the Tasman Peninsula - from which many people were evacuated by boat over the weekend - has been upgraded to dangerous, with residents instructed to go to a local boat ramp or beach.
A big fire is also burning in Yarrabin, 100km (60 miles) south of Canberra. The RFS say it is out of control and have advised residents to seek shelter, saying it is too late to leave.
In western Victoria, a fire in Kentbruck is burning out of control. More than 7,000 hectares (17,000 acres) of pine plantation has been destroyed and the blaze is now threatening the community of Drik Drik.
A fire was also reported in an electrical substation building at the Lucas Heights nuclear research facility in the south of Sydney.A fire was also reported in an electrical substation building at the Lucas Heights nuclear research facility in the south of Sydney.
The fire, believed to have been caused by an electrical failure, has been brought under control, local media report.The fire, believed to have been caused by an electrical failure, has been brought under control, local media report.
All national parks, state forests and reserves in New South Wales have been closed to the public and many tourists are reported to be leaving campsites.
Vegetation in many parts of the state is very dry after four months of higher than average temperatures. The heatwave has become particularly acute over the past two weeks, when many long-standing temperature records have been broken.
Meteorologists are talking about a "dome of heat" across Australia, though conditions in Sydney and New South Wales will become cooler from Wednesday.
In western Victoria, a fire in Kentbruck is burning out of control. More than 7,000 hectares (17,000 acres ) of pine plantation has been destroyed and the blaze is now threatening the community of Drik Drik.
Hundreds of firefighters have been deployed to tackle the blaze, which has sent up a plume of smoke visible from miles away.
Residents were advised to evacuate if they did not have a bushfire survival plan.
The Victoria Fire Services Commissioner, Craig Lapsley, said: "We will see the potential for fires to start early in the day and, without much time at all, they become uncontrolled fires, which is the major concern,''
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard visited the worst-hit areas of Tasmania on Monday, where she warned residents on the island and in other at-risk states to be vigilant.
Speaking in the state capital, Hobart, Ms Gillard said assistance would be provided for those in need.
"I've come to Tasmania today for one purpose, and that's to say to the people of Tasmania that the nation is standing with them at this very, very difficult time," she said.
Emergency payments would be provided to give people immediate help and damage would be assessed to enable communities to be rebuilt.
Fires were still being fought, she emphasised, calling for residents in Tasmania and also in New South Wales to stay alert.
So far no lives have been lost in the fires.
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