Beachgoers were out to beat the heat at Carrum Beach in Melbourne's south. Photo: ABC News / Danielle Bonica
While Victoria is experiencing extreme heat and there are fire bans in place in several regions, the Country Fire Authority's chief officer says it's Friday that has authorities particularly concerned.
"We're likely to see widespread, very high, extreme fire dangers across the state as we return to those mid-40 temperatures," Jason Heffernan says.
"But it's going to be those very strong to potentially destructive northerly winds that will come across the state later in the afternoon on the Friday that has us all concerned."
Emergency Management Victoria says dangerous heat and fire conditions will last until Saturday.
It says winds would make it difficult for firefighters to get on top of any fires if they start.
Worst heat since Black Summer, bureau warns
Earlier this week, the Bureau of Meteorology warned parts of Victoria, SA and southern NSW could see conditions on par with the summer of 2019-20.
The period became known as Black Summer after weeks of bushfires in Victoria and NSW burnt through more than 24 million hectares and destroyed more than 3000 homes.
Widespread dry conditions, including drought, are causing authorities concern and the heat has prompted many fire bans.
A sunbather in Port Melbourne. Photo: ABC News
Who is affected?
Intense heat is forecast for most of southern Australia as well as northern Western Australia.
Temperatures in the mid-40s are forecast Wednesday in multiple states, with some areas expected to approach records.
The forecast includes 44C in Western Sydney, 44C across northern Adelaide and 42C in Melbourne.
ABC meteorologist Tom Saunders reports there'll also be exceptionally muggy nights, contributing to severe-to-extreme heatwave warnings across most of SA, Victoria, and NSW.
- ABC News