‘The most dangerous day’: bushfires break out in Victoria as BoM warns of catastrophic conditions to come

Bushfires have broken out in Victoria, Australia, amidst a severe heatwave described as the worst since 2019-20. On Thursday, temperatures soared across multiple states, including Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and New South Wales. The Hume Highway in Victoria was closed, and regional trains were cancelled as firefighters battled the blazes. Acting Premier Ben Carroll warned that Victoria is highly susceptible to bushfires. Melbourne is bracing for a forecast of 41C on Friday, prompting heightened concerns and emergency responses. The combination of extreme heat and dry conditions has created catastrophic fire conditions across the region.