South Australia

South Australia, along with other southeastern Australian states, is currently facing an intense and prolonged heatwave. This event is newsworthy due to the record-breaking temperatures, reaching as high as 48.5°C, and the associated fire danger. Recent developments include emergency-level blazes in neighboring Victoria, with South Australia also battling bushfires. The heatwave has prompted warnings for residents to evacuate, watch and wait, or shelter in place. The severity of the heat is such that all-time temperature records are threatened, and the extreme conditions have led to mass mortality events, such as the deaths of thousands of flying foxes. Analysis suggests that human-caused global heating has made such intense heatwaves significantly more likely, highlighting the event's relevance in the context of climate change and its impact on public health and safety.