Australia’s Heat Wave Poses Severe Fire Threat to State

Australia is currently facing a catastrophic fire risk in parts of Victoria this Friday, as the nation endures its most severe heat wave since the infamous Black Summer bushfires of 2019-2020.

Temperatures have soared above 45°C (113°F) in various regions, particularly affecting Adelaide and South Australia. This intense heat is being pushed eastward by a low-pressure trough, impacting the densely populated states of Victoria and New South Wales. Notably, Melbourne recorded its highest temperature since January 2020 on Wednesday.

The heat wave is expected to shift towards New South Wales, home to Australia’s largest city, Sydney, on Thursday. Forecasts indicate that thunderstorm conditions, including bursts of dry lightning, will heighten the fire risk across Victoria on Friday.

Currently, several bushfires are already active in the state, prompting evacuation orders for small communities threatened by the flames. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued warnings of extreme or catastrophic fire danger for all areas of Victoria on Friday, marking the highest possible alert levels.

Read More: Millions at Risk of Los Angeles-Style Wildfires in Australia

“There is very little, if any, rainfall expected with these thunderstorms,” stated Sarah Scully from the bureau in a video forecast. She noted that the rain is mostly evaporating before reaching the ground, which increases the risk of dry lightning that could ignite new fires. Additionally, damaging wind gusts are expected to hit the ground and spread out, potentially causing erratic fire behavior.

The most recent major bushfire disaster in Australia occurred during the 2019-20 Southern Hemisphere summer, known as Black Summer. This catastrophic event devastated 24 million hectares of land, resulting in the loss of 33 lives and impacting potentially billions of animals. A report published by Australia’s Climate Council think tank on Tuesday highlighted that millions of residents on the outskirts of major cities are now at risk of urban wildfires due to urban sprawl.

This ongoing heat wave is likely to drive a surge in electricity demand and wholesale prices, primarily due to increased air-conditioner usage. Johanna Bowyer, an analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, noted that coal- and gas-fired power plants may experience limitations in their maximum capacity due to reduced cooling efficiency at elevated temperatures.

Extended periods of extreme heat can also strain energy infrastructure, while bushfire smoke may disrupt power transmission lines, according to Alex Zadnik, business manager for Australia at MetraWeather. Furthermore, variable weather conditions could impact renewable energy output during this peak demand period. For instance, cloud cover around Melbourne may reduce rooftop solar output, and wind speeds could decline Friday afternoon over western Victoria, even as temperatures remain high elsewhere.

“It’s a complex day with lots of risks,” Zadnik remarked regarding Friday, when Victoria is expected to experience its highest temperatures of the week.

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics
Catastrophe
Australia

Australia is currently facing a catastrophic fire risk in parts of Victoria this Friday, as the nation endures its most severe heat wave since the infamous Black Summer bushfires of 2019-2020.

Temperatures have soared above 45°C (113°F) in various regions, particularly affecting Adelaide and South Australia. This intense heat is being pushed eastward by a low-pressure trough, impacting the densely populated states of Victoria and New South Wales. Notably, Melbourne recorded its highest temperature since January 2020 on Wednesday.

The heat wave is expected to shift towards New South Wales, home to Australia’s largest city, Sydney, on Thursday. Forecasts indicate that thunderstorm conditions, including bursts of dry lightning, will heighten the fire risk across Victoria on Friday.

Currently, several bushfires are already active in the state, prompting evacuation orders for small communities threatened by the flames. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued warnings of extreme or catastrophic fire danger for all areas of Victoria on Friday, marking the highest possible alert levels.

Read More: Millions at Risk of Los Angeles-Style Wildfires in Australia

“There is very little, if any, rainfall expected with these thunderstorms,” stated Sarah Scully from the bureau in a video forecast. She noted that the rain is mostly evaporating before reaching the ground, which increases the risk of dry lightning that could ignite new fires. Additionally, damaging wind gusts are expected to hit the ground and spread out, potentially causing erratic fire behavior.

The most recent major bushfire disaster in Australia occurred during the 2019-20 Southern Hemisphere summer, known as Black Summer. This catastrophic event devastated 24 million hectares of land, resulting in the loss of 33 lives and impacting potentially billions of animals. A report published by Australia’s Climate Council think tank on Tuesday highlighted that millions of residents on the outskirts of major cities are now at risk of urban wildfires due to urban sprawl.

This ongoing heat wave is likely to drive a surge in electricity demand and wholesale prices, primarily due to increased air-conditioner usage. Johanna Bowyer, an analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, noted that coal- and gas-fired power plants may experience limitations in their maximum capacity due to reduced cooling efficiency at elevated temperatures.

Extended periods of extreme heat can also strain energy infrastructure, while bushfire smoke may disrupt power transmission lines, according to Alex Zadnik, business manager for Australia at MetraWeather. Furthermore, variable weather conditions could impact renewable energy output during this peak demand period. For instance, cloud cover around Melbourne may reduce rooftop solar output, and wind speeds could decline Friday afternoon over western Victoria, even as temperatures remain high elsewhere.

“It’s a complex day with lots of risks,” Zadnik remarked regarding Friday, when Victoria is expected to experience its highest temperatures of the week.

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics
Catastrophe
Australia