Thousands told to flee homes in Australia amid heat spike, bushfire threat

SYDNEY — Tens of thousands of residents in Australia's south-east were told to evacuate on Feb 28 due to an intense heatwave that the authorities said could further spread a massive bushfire in Victoria state, which faces its worst conditions in four years.

Extreme fire ratings have been issued for large parts of Victoria, with the Wimmera region in the west given a catastrophic ranking, the top warning level.

Mildura, a rural city of about 56,000, could touch 45 deg C, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said.

A potential fire impact zone that covers several rural towns has been identified as officials urged around 30,000 residents there to leave their homes by Feb 28.

"Today will be a very challenging day for firefighters," Jason Heffernan, chief officer at Victoria fire department, told ABC television. "Today is one of those days when communities may need to take immediate action at very short notice."

Hundreds of firefighters were still battling a massive blaze near the city of Ballarat, 95km west of Melbourne.

The fire, burning since Feb 22, has already destroyed six homes, killed livestock and burnt more than 200 sq km.

A heat wave is set to sweep in from Australia's outback interior, moving across Victoria before likely shifting east to the state of New South Wales on Feb 29. Total fire bans are in place across several cities, including Melbourne.

Dry lightning could spark new fires while strong winds forecast from Feb 28 afternoon could spread the existing one near Ballarat, Heffernan said.

He urged people to reconsider any decision to stay back to protect their homes.

"Unless your property is immaculately prepared, and you have firefighting resources available, you are fit and are mentally capable to sustain a long duration firefight… my strong advice to the community is to leave early," he said.

ALSO READ: Australian homes destroyed in bushfires, 'extreme' heat ahead