Schools and national parks have been ordered to close as parts of Victoria face the first catastrophic fire conditions since the black summer of 2019-20.
Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia were also on alert for extreme fire danger amid heatwave conditions.
Hot, dry and windy conditions were forecast across Victoria on Tuesday, with the possibility of thunderstorms, dry lightning and winds of up to 100 kilometres an hour.
The hot northerly winds were already moving across the state on Tuesday morning, the Country Fire Authority’s chief officer, Jason Heffernan, told ABC TV.
He said hot conditions set in early, with the mercury reaching 29C in Mildura and 27C in Melbourne at 6 am.
A catastrophic fire danger rating had been declared for the Wimmera region, with authorities closely watching conditions in Rainbow, Warracknabeal, Minyip, Rupanyup and Murtoa.
“Those communities are of particular concern for firefighters today as conditions will be very, very nasty, ” Heffernan said.
Extreme fire danger is forecast for the Mallee, a high danger rating for the rest of the state except for East Gippsland and a total fire ban in much of the state.
Heffernan said it would be some of the most dangerous grassfire conditions since 2019-20.
The black summer was one of the most intense and catastrophic fire seasons on record in Australia.
“Grass fires can be just as deadly as bushfires during the 2019-20 season, they move incredibly fast and can jump roads,” he said.
The emergency management commissioner, Rick Nugent, said Tuesday’s weather forecast, with some areas predicted to reach 40C, would be challenging.
“We’re going to have an extremely hot, dry and windy day … followed by thunderstorms and lightning,” Nugent said on Monday.
“We are doing everything possible to make sure we are well prepared to respond to any fires that may occur anywhere in the state.”
Tasmanians were also being urged to prepare for an increased fire danger over the coming days.
The Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) deputy chief officer, Matt Lowe, said current weather conditions combined with a dry landscape meant fires could spread easily and become difficult to control.
“TFS is putting a temporary hold on issuing fire permits in the south and north of the state until 2 am Thursday,” he said on Monday.
“While we are not declaring a total fire ban, we are asking people to think carefully before lighting campfires and using machinery, and if doing so please be extremely cautious.”
South Australians were also bracing for a hot and dry Tuesday.
Total fire bans had been declared, with extreme fire danger ratings for mid-north, Riverland and Murraylands.
The South Australian Country Fire Service said “very hazardous” fire weather conditions were predicted.
The Bureau of Meteorology had also issued a heatwave warning for parts of Victoria, with conditions expected to ease with a cooler change from late Tuesday night through early Wednesday morning.
A severe heatwave warning was also in place for parts of Western Australia including Kimberley, Gascoyne, Central West and Great Southern districts.
