Dust, heat and fire emergencies – but no relief in sight for weary Victorians

Victorians have endured a scorching day, with bushfire alarms, dust storms and poor air quality across the state – and the weather bureau warns there is more to come.

Dust storms across parts of Victoria and NSW are
 forecast for Friday afternoon and over the weekend. 

“It has been a stinker across most of Victoria,” Bureau of Meteorology state manager Andrew Tupper said late on Friday afternoon, after many towns recorded temperatures in the mid-40s.

But, rather than the cool change many across the state might be expecting, extremely humid air and heavy rain will roll in within hours.

“It will be more than uncomfortable. It will be quite difficult for some,” Mr Tupper said.

The change will bring windy conditions – as well as potential flash flooding and the likelihood of more of the muddy rain that fell in Victoria earlier in January.

Read the story from The New Daily - “Dust, heat and fire emergencies – but no relief in sight for weary Victorians.”

Eastern Australia braces for bushfires and thunderstorms, prompting health risk warnings

Leading into the weekend, Australia’s eastern states are facing mass severe weather warnings and are on high alert for thunderstorm asthma, bushfires, dust storms and damaging winds.

Smoke from the Pierces Creek blaze
continues to tower over Canberra trees.

Emergency crews began door-knocking residents in Canberra on Friday in a pre-emptive move to alert homeowners living near an out-of-control bushfire southwest of Canberra.

A school was evacuated as firefighters fought a 113-hectare bushfire at Pierce Creek, 8 kilometres from the nearest suburb.

Emergency Services Commissioner Dominic Lane said winds are expected to pick up, making it difficult for firefighters to stop the blaze from spreading as it heads in a southeasterly direction.

Read The New Daily story - “Eastern Australia braces for bushfires and thunderstorms, prompting health risk warnings.”