[title_words_as_hashtags
SCHOOLS across southeast Australia are closing as a severe heatwave moves into the region.
Temperatures of up to 39C are forecast by Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology – the country’s Met Office – and the area is already suffering with dozens of bush fires.
1
Twenty schools are set to close tomorrow due to “high fire danger” until the heatwave passes.
Sydney has had more than five days of temperatures over 30C, according the Bureau – marking a historical first.
Meteorologist Angus Hines said: “Roxby Downs and Port Augusta [are forecasted to hit] 38C and 39C. We are rapidly moving towards our first 40C temperature of the season.”
Hay in New South Wales hit 37.4C on Monday.
NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner told 7News: “The difficulty is that there is quite a lot of grass fuel that’s carrying the fires and making them burn quicker than you would normally expect and obviously (combined with) that very unseasonably warm weather.”
A total fire ban has already been issued for Greater Sydney and the Far South Coast for the first time in three years.
Sydney marathon runners were hospitalised over the weekend as the killer heatwave moved into NSW.
More than 26 runners were taken to hospital and 40 were treated for heat exhaustion.
The Australian Bureau for Meteorology said several heat records are expected to broken in the coming days.
Sweltering heat is expected to last until Wednesday, when a cold front will move through to provide relief.
More than 50 grass and bush fires are already burning, prompting fears of similar disaster seen in 2020.
An estimated half billion animals perished in the Australian bushfires, which began when 24 people “intentionally” set fires.
Hot, dry weather combined with ongoing drought and strong winds created the perfect conditions for fire to spread quickly.
Dry heat combined with lack of rain, Australia‘s dry season from April to September sees a high chance of fires.
