Extreme Fire Warnings as Southern Heatwave Continues

‘The fire threat is far from over.’

Country Fire Authority (CFA) staff monitor a giant fire raging in the Bunyip State Park, some 125 kilometres west of Melbourne, Australia on Feb. 7, 2009. William West/AFP via Getty Images

Victoria’s emergency services are preparing for more perilous weather conditions, a week after bushfires and storms razed properties and left half a million homes and businesses in the dark.

Temperatures are expected to top 40 degrees in parts of the state, with storms bringing 80km/h winds and dry lightning into the afternoon.