Expected weekend heatwave prompts health and fire warnings
Scorching temperatures, heatwave warnings and high fire danger await Victorians for the first weekend of 2025, while a massive blaze continues burning in the Grampians.
Nearly all of Victoria will experience a low-intensity heatwave, and some pockets, including Melbourne, will navigate a severe heatwave over the weekend, ahead of a cool change on Monday.
People are expected to flock to beaches and rivers during the weekend’s heatwave. Credit: Scott McNaughton
On Saturday, it’s forecast to be a sunny 38 degrees in the city, with a top of 37 expected on Sunday. It’s the overnight temperature, however, that is of significant concern to emergency services, as it is expected to only drop to 24 degrees on Sunday.
“So you don’t get that relief … it really affects your body,” said State Control Centre spokesperson Reegan Key.
“The key thing … is just to stay hydrated, to stay cool.”
An extreme fire danger rating is in place for the Wimmera region on Saturday, including the Grampians National Park, where an out-of-control bushfire burnt 76,000 hectares, destroyed several homes and 40 per cent of the park.
The Grampians fire remains a concern for firefighters. Credit: Justin McManus
Milder conditions in the new year have reduced the immediate threat and given firefighters time to take preventative action, but Key said it remained a problem.
“We’ve still got some tricky days ahead for the fire. Hot and dry days are tricky days for fires,” said Key.
