Blazes to burn 'for days, if not weeks' in Victoria, NSW hits 43C — as it happened

The tropical cyclone that has been threatening Queensland has been named Cyclone Koji, according to the Bureau of Meteorology

Earlier today, the bureau had forecast a Tropical Low 12U that could reach tropical cyclone intensity later this afternoon.

The cyclone is now confirmed to be moving towards the northeast Queensland coast.

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Residents 'smashed' as tropical Cyclone Koji makes landfall in north Queensland

The Surf Coast Shire Council which looks after Victoria's southwestern coastal townships such as Lorne and Torquay along the Great Ocean Road says the smoke on the coast is from "fires burning in the Otways and around Victoria".

An emergency alert has been issued for the Great Otway National Park, north of Carlisle River this afternoon. An out-of-control bushfire at Carlisle River is travelling from Pipeline Road in a north-easterly direction towards Irrewillipie East.

The fire has crossed Whitepeg Road and Blackbridge Road is moving towards private property in the Irrewillipie area.

Source: Surf Coast Shire Council

Source: Surf Coast Shire Council

German national Annika Fischer spoke with SBS News after she returned to her farm on Saturday, where she has been working as an assistant farm manager.

Despite losing a barn to the fires, she said they had been "incredibly lucky" that the property had been spared.

"We're incredibly grateful ... for all the efforts that have been made to protect this property," she said.

Assistant farm manager Annika Fischer spoke with SBS News after returning to the farm she was working at near Longwood. Source: SBS

"A couple of the units that the staff is housed in have been touched by the flames and have burned, but all in all, we are so much luckier than other people in our area that have absolutely lost everything."

She said it had been "absolutely beautiful" to see the community come together to help others, including helping with the evacuation of 150 horses.

"Farms from all over Victoria have sent trucks, come back multiple times, risking their own health and safety to help us get our horses to safety," she said.

"I don't even have the words to say how grateful we are to have a community that will band together like that, and in times of absolute catastrophe, will stand together, fight together, do whatever they can."

— Tys Occhiuzzi

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli is adamant the state is "better prepared than ever" to handle the possible tropical cyclone forming off the state's coast.

With it would come damaging winds of up to 100 km/h, heavy downpours in already soaked catchment areas and a risk of flash floods.

Despite the concern, Crisafulli said swift-water rescue crafts, police, SES officers and paramedics were in position and would work with residents on the ground.

"I want Queenslanders to know we are better prepared than ever," he said.

Read more about the developing tropical cyclone here:

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Residents 'smashed' as tropical Cyclone Koji makes landfall in north Queensland

Back to the weather system off the coast of Queensland, where the forming cyclone is now predicted to be a category two cyclone.

It was earlier anticipated to be a weaker category one cyclone.

"Tropical Low 12U moving closer to the north-east Queensland coast and is forecast to reach tropical cyclone intensity later this afternoon as a category two system," the Bureau of Meteorology said this afternoon.

"The coastal crossing is forecast for early Sunday morning between Ingham and Bowen."

— Cameron Carr

A cool and gusty change will cross much of New South Wales this afternoon and overnight, which will "bring an end to the extended period of high temperatures for many", the Bureau of Meteorology has said this afternoon.

"The gusty southerly change, known as a 'southerly buster,' may bring wind gusts exceeding 90km/h and will rapidly drop temperatures along the coast. It is expected to reach Sydney later this evening," they write.

Parts of the state have reached the high 30s to low 40s for 3 consecutive days now, with areas of Sydney reaching 43 degrees.

A severe weather warning is in place for the Alpine region and south-east Coastal ranges as well as parts of the Illawarra and Sydney coastal areas.

— Cameron Carr

Residents have been advised to "take shelter now" as the Longwood fire continues to advance. The blaze has now scorched more than 140,000 hectares and remains the largest active fire in the state.

An emergency alert has been issued for Caveat, Creightons Creek, Dropmore, Gobur, Gooram, Highlands, Kanumbra, Kelvin View, Locksley, Longwood, Longwood East, Ruffy, Strathbogie, Tarcombe, Terip Terip and Upton Hill.

A further 11 emergency warnings are also in effect for the Walwa, Carlisle River and Cape Otway fires.

Meanwhile, the grassfire at Ravenswood South — which has destroyed approximately 50 homes in Harcourt — has been downgraded to a Watch and Act alert, along with a fire at Mount Mercer near Meredith and bushfires burning at Mount Darling, Streatham and Boinka.

At time of publishing this afternoon, 67 fires were still alight across the state, including 10 bushfires that remain uncontrolled.

— Cameron Carr

The Australian Red Cross has urged people to stay hydrated, in cool areas and in shade and to monitor for any of the following symptoms:

• Heavy sweating
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Fainting
• Fatigue and weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle cramps

When it comes to regular warmer weather, the most vulnerable groups are socially isolated people, people who are pregnant or are sick or living with a disability, young children or anyone without access to appropriate cooling or shelter.

But anyone, even those without underlying health conditions, can suffer the effects of extreme heat.

For heat-related health advice read more here:

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The reality virtually no Aussie can escape when a heatwave hits

— Cameron Carr

The impacts of heat inequality are exacerbated during a heatwave, and can cause heat-related deaths and worsen kidney and heart disease.

Some areas are more likely to swelter than others, due to a combination of temperature, landscape and the built environment.

So why do some suburbs experience that heat more acutely, and can anything be done about it?

Read more from SBS News here:

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Not all suburbs are equal: How heatwaves can amplify inequality

— Alex Gallager

Meanwhile in Queensland, a tropical low is expected to strengthen into a category one cyclone off the coast of the state's far north this afternoon.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for areas from Cooktown to Mackay and inland to Natal Downs, forecasting winds and heavy rainfall which could lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding.

The low — which will be called Tropical Cyclone Koji — is currently expected to make landfall just south of Townsville tomorrow morning, with residents being urged ensure they have a safe place to shelter.

— Cameron Carr

Fires continue across south-eastern Australia as thousands of firefighters, emergency services and volunteers work to contain the fire fronts.

Temperatures climbed into the mid to high 40s across eastern South Australia, much of Victoria and inland New South Wales on Friday.

Here's what's happened so far today:

• Major fires are burning across Victoria and NSW, with the federal and state governments activating emergency support and relief
• In Victoria, three people reported missing have been found and are safe from the fires
• 10 major fire fronts are creating challenges for the state, with unpredictable winds making the fires harder to control
• Victoria's emergency management commissioner, Tim Wiebusch, has said the major fires "will continue to burn for days, if not weeks"
• Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain has announced one-off payments up to a maximum of $2,380 a family in affected areas
• Meanwhile in NSW, the state's Rural Fire Service is on alert for any new fire outbreaks ahead of a forecast weather shift later this afternoon, as temperatures are expected to rise
• NSW Premier Chris Minns said it will be a challenging day for the state's health system as "incredibly hot" weather puts lives at risk
• For the latest updates in Victoria, head to the VicEmergency website. For the latest updates in NSW, head to the NSW RFS website

— Cameron Carr

The Bureau of Meteorology has shared images from the Malmsbury Fire Brigade of the Ravenswood fire at Harcourt, south of Bendigo.

Source: Bureau of Meteorology / Malmsbury Fire Brigade

Source: Bureau of Meteorology / Malmsbury Fire Brigade

— Miles Proust

The NSW Rural Fire Service is on alert for any new fire outbreaks ahead of a forecast weather shift later this afternoon, according to deputy commissioner Ben Millington.

Millington cautioned that should a blaze ignite as temperatures rise later today, it would be "challenging to manage and suppress".

He said there are currently 46 bush and grass fires burning across New South Wales, with six yet to be brought under control.

"We are asking the community to remain vigilant, heed warnings from the emergency services and we’ve certainly got a number of hours ahead of us before we see that change come through later tonight," he told the ABC this afternoon.

Total fire bans remain in force from the Hunter region, through Sydney and into the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, extending to the far south coast and west across the ranges to the Central Ranges, Southern Slopes, Monaro and Alpine areas.

— Cameron Carr

Here are some images from the Victorian bushfires.

Flames flare up on a road as thick smoke reduces visibility during bushfires near Lockwood on Friday. Source: AAP / Michael Currie

Smoke affected visibility in Melbourne on Friday. Source: AAP / Michael Nigro / Ye Myo Khant

A screenshot from Black Jack Watchtower in Kosciuszko National Park in NSW shows smoke from bushfires across the border in Victoria. Source: Supplied / Watchtowers Network

A roadside fire danger sign near the town of Yea on Friday. Source: AAP / Michael Currie

Country Fire Authority members douse a home at Longwood. Source: AAP / Michael Currie

— Miles Proust

The Bureau of Meteorology has detailed the maximum temperatures as a heatwave swept across south-east Australia on Friday.

Temperatures climbed into the mid to high 40s across eastern South Australia, much of Victoria and inland New South Wales.

Winds also gusted 80 to 100km/h across much of Victoria and Tasmania.

Some notable maximum temperatures in the 24 hours to 9am on Saturday include:

• 47.4C at Roxby Downs, SA
• 47.2C at Coober Pedy, SA
• 47.0C at Renmark, Vic
• 46.7C at Oodnadatta, SA
• 46.5C at Walpeup, Vic
• 46.4C at Woomera, SA

Notable wind gusts in the 24 hours to 9am include:

• 111km/h at Mount Gellibrand, Vic
• 100km/h at Mount William, Vic
• 98km/h at Horsham, Vic
• 93km/h at Nhill, Vic
• 93km/h at Hopetoun, Vic

A cool change moved across Victoria on Friday evening, bringing light showers, dry thunderstorms and moderate west to southwest winds.

Temperatures will be cooler across Victoria with moderate and gusty west to southwest winds which will bring another challenging day for fires across the state with many fires ongoing. Winds will begin to ease later tonight.

However extreme temperatures are expected in NSW, with Sydney to reach a top of 43C. Canberra will reach a high of 38C.

— Miles Proust

Chris Harbin from Forest Fire Management Victoria says hot conditions are expected to lead to more fires later this month.

"It's going to be incredibly challenging over the weeks ahead. More broadly, we are in summer in Victoria," he said.

"These fires are not going away anywhere any time soon, and in mid-January, we're already looking at the next fire spike day."

He said that winds and hot weather are continuing to create challenges for firefighters across the state.

— Cameron Carr

Mike Bush, the chief commissioner of Victoria Police, has urged the community to follow advice from authorities, with reports of some locals ignoring instructions.

"This morning I have had reports that people are ignoring instructions at the road checks and the roadblocks," he said.

"Please, I implore you to follow the instructions of emergency services personnel who are out there. The reason they give these instructions is very much for your own safety."

— Cameron Carr

Victoria's emergency management commissioner, Tim Wiebusch, has said the major fires "will continue to burn for days, if not weeks."

He said authorities are expecting more fires today.

Wiebusch confirmed that dozens of structures across the state have been destroyed by the fires.

"There are still 19 emergency warnings and 16 watch and act warnings that are in the landscape," he said.

"They are the most serious of our warnings, but even an advice message is alerting communities to something they need to keep an eye on."

— Cameron Carr

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain is speaking now about disaster relief for affected areas.

She confirmed the government has mobilised aircraft to "support firefighting operations."

The federal and Victorian government have also activated joint disaster recovery funding for a range of local government areas impacted by the fires.

"This includes emergency relief for community members who have been impacted directly by bushfires, but also for people who had to evacuate their homes," McBain said.

"These assistants include one-off payments up to a maximum of $2,380 a family to cover the immediate essential items."

— Cameron Carr

Jacinta Allan has confirmed that three people reported missing in the Longwood fire, north of Melbourne, have been identified and found.

"They have been accounted for and are safe. We are grateful for everyone for supporting those people, to keep them safe," she said.

The conditions today remain unsafe, she said, encouraging people to stay informed and cautious.

"What can look safe one moment can be a very dangerous, difficult situation the next."

— Cameron Carr