Heat waves and bushfires throughout Australia

These stories do not reflect the reality of the extreme heat and bushfires in Australia. Australia can only look forward to more of this - and worse.

There have been heat waves and bushfires close to both Perth in the West, and Adelaide in the south.

The audio clip reflects the latest news - the heat wave is headed for Melbourne and there are real fears of bush fires. You can tell the seriousness of the situation in the tone of the correspondent's voice.

Southern Aust heatwave enters day 2

Radio NZ,
14 January, 2014

A heatwave in the southern states of Australia is entering day two.

AAP reports temperatures of 42C in Adelaide are forecast for Tuesday, 43C on Wednesday and Thursday and 40C on Friday before a cool change.

Melbourne is forecast to top 40C on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with 39C predicted for Wednesday.

Victorian Fire Service Commissioner Craig Lapsley said the heatwave will create perfect bushfire conditions.

Ambulance Victoria emergency management manager Paul Holman said the heatwave is the worst since before the Black Saturday fires in 2009.

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill said people without air-conditioning at home should consider heading to cooler public facilities such as cinemas, shopping centres and libraries.

AAP reports a total fire ban is in place for southern Tasmania on Tuesday.

On Sunday in Western Australia, 49 houses and two sheds were destroyed by a bushfire in the Perth hills, but four people unaccounted for have been found alive.

One man died after collapsing on the roof of his house

WA bushfire destroys 49 homes

Four people feared victims of a bushfire that razed 49 homes in the Perth hills region have been found safe, while firefighters are still battling to control the blaze

Click for more photos

WA Today,

13 January, 2014

.The one death attributed to the fire was that of a 62-year-old man in Hovea who collapsed on the roof of his house on Sunday while preparing for the disaster.

The fire, which tore through 650 hectares in the Shire of Mundaring on Sunday and also destroyed two sheds, was contained on Monday but firefighters were still battling to control it.

A watch and act alert remains for the eastern part of Parkerville, Stoneville and Mount Helena.

One resident tried to get back to their house on Monday afternoon and suffered burns to the hands and feet.Noelene Michels, from Helena Valley, said she knew her house was close to the fire zone and that her son was still there, but she could not reach him due to roadblocks.

"We think it is ok, but we can't get through to check," she said.

Sally and Gary Elwood, from nearby Narla Way, already knew their home of 30 years was gone.

"I am a bit shocked, but until I physically see, it won't hit me fully, but I have seen it on Facebook so I know it is ours," Ms Elwood said.

"I know it is gone, but my glass is half full - the kids are fine, everyone is fine. We will just rebuild, at 48 - bloody hell."

Mundaring Shire president Helen Dullard said many residents were relieved to escape the flames.

"Visually, it was a very ugly fire. It was scary," she said.

People who lost their homes will be escorted to the ruins on Tuesday.

The fate of livestock and pets is unknown but residents are bracing for the worst, while some firefighters have been treated for heat exhaustion and bee stings.

Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis believes a power pole on private property caused the fire.

He said the blaze could have been much worse and wiped out hundreds more homes.

"We pray this is the last fire we see like this, but there are no guarantees," he said.

"We deal with the lottery dealt out by Mother Nature."

Mr Francis admitted he was frustrated that the fire preparation message was not getting through.

The WA government will donate $1 million to the Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund to help victims.

It will also provide $3000 to those whose homes had been destroyed and $1000 for damaged houses.

Western Power says about 700 properties are without power - and will remain so for days - and more than 150 poles will need to be replaced.

"Poles and equipment are being delivered in preparation for the rebuild, which is not expected to be able to start before Wednesday," a spokeswoman said.

Insurers have declared the fire a catastrophic event.

Attorney-General George Brandis said the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment would also be provided to eligible residents.

People can claim a payment of $1000 for each adult and $400 for each child.

This report is from about a week ago

Fire conditions ease, danger 

shifts to Adelaide

3 News,

13 January, 2014

One man is dead and at least 44 homes have been destroyed after bushfires raged through the Perth Hills in Australia.

Weather conditions eased today, allowing firefighters to gain the upper hand after the fires burned uncontained yesterday.

Flames up to 20 metres high tore through bush land as firefighters tried to stop it from the ground and using helicopters.

But with high temperatures and strong winds fanning the flames there was little that could be done to stop it - and soon it reached houses.

Panicked residents did all they could to try to defend their homes, but for some it was too late and they could do nothing but watch as walls of flames approached their houses.

Hundreds fled to evacuation centres, left wondering what they'd be returning to.

"[We] packed up what we could and left," said one resident. "My husband stayed just in case to fight it, put sprinklers on the roof."

A 61-year-old man collapsed and died on the roof of his home while trying to save it. It was too dangerous for emergency services to reach him.

Conditions were a bit kinder today - the high was 29degC, while yesterday it was 41degC and in some areas it got as high as 48degC.

That weather front has moved east and now it's Adelaide on high alert for bushfires.

Record lack of rain hurting 

farmers

The hotter weather is hitting farmers hard, with a lack of rain set to drive up food prices.