State issues total fire ban as monster heatwave looks to break record
Moderated by Tomas Kauer 
A total fire ban has been declared in large swathes of Victoria, including Melbourne, as the state sweats under a monster heatwave.
Melbourne is inching towards a record 43-degree day today after it became one of the first capital cities to feel the impact of the extreme heat sweeping through south-eastern Australia.
The mercury in the Victorian capital is forecast to hit 43 degrees over the coming hours, smashing the previous record of 40 degrees in January 2020, during the deadly Black Summer blazes.
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Hot, dry and windy conditions have prompted the Country Fire Authority (CFA) to announce a total fire ban in the Melbourne and Geelong areas, as well as Wimmera, South West and Central parts of the state.
The ban means no fires are allowed to remain alight in the open air from now until midnight.
A small bushfire is now burning near the Sunraysia Highway near Moyreisk and 16 firetrucks are now responding.
An under-control bushfire has also been reported in Framlingham in the state's north-east.
The scorching heat has been building this week and is forecast to smother parts of Victoria, NSW, Queensland, WA, SA and the NT into the weekend, reports weather data firm Weatherzone.https://www.facebook.com/cfavic/posts/pfbid027njzbQa3eMvfJ33cd3J745AF1RKGuyjpYNX9f17zf51n24kSTdLwsBRKFGhirZk3l
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While Melbourne and Adelaide residents will be sweltering, Inland regions will bear the brunt of even warmer conditions.
The regional city of Mildura in north-west Victoria is heading for top temperatures of 45 degrees over the next three days, while a maximum of 46 degrees is expected in the town of Renmark in SA's Riverland region.
The CFA in Victoria has issued a total fire ban today for the Wimmera, South West and Central fire districts.
Victorian authorities are especially concerned Friday will pose a dangerous day for fires, with temperatures of about 40 degrees or more combined with wind speeds from 40km/h to 70km/h.
Wind changes will make the job of firefighters controlling any bushfires much harder.
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CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan urged residents to be prepared.
"It is really important people take the actions needed to protect themselves and their family, and that preparedness starts early.
"Understand how the increased fire risk will impact you and ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies. Download the VicEmergency App to stay well informed."
Sydney and large parts of NSW will also be blanketed by a heatwave until the end of this week.
The NSW capital will sweat through multiple days in the mid-30s, while Saturday is expected to bring the warmest temperatures in Sydney with a top of 39 degrees. Some inland parts of NSW may nudge 40 degrees over the next few days.
Deputy Coordinator-General of the National Emergency Management Agency Katarina Carroll said the heatwave conditions will last until the weekend.
She told Today this morning that more people die from heat-related conditions than any other natural disaster.
"You have to prepare for those four days. So stay hydrated .. wherever you can, keep cool as much as you can and look after the vulnerable.
"That is incredibly important the children, the elderly and listen to local emergency services."
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