Australia eastern states face high bushfire risk amid extreme heat

Eastern Australia is facing heightened bushfire risks due to unseasonably high temperatures at the start of spring. Local fire bans have been implemented in several regions, including the Sydney metropolitan area and parts of Queensland such as Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley.

In Brisbane, temperatures reached 34.4°C, marking the hottest September day for the city since 2019. Other areas, including Amberley, recorded peaks of 35.7°C. The heat follows a winter that was recorded as the third warmest on record, with temperatures 1.8°C above the long-term average.

Emergency services have also responded to active incidents, including a fast-moving bushfire near the Warrego Highway, prompting evacuation preparations for residents in Plainland. Severe weather warnings for strong winds have been issued across southeastern Australia, though meteorologists expect temperatures to decrease in the coming days.