Victoria faces catastrophic fire risk from heat wave.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting extreme to catastrophic fire danger across all parts of Victoria on Friday as a severe heat wave moves east; thunderstorms with dry lightning and strong gusts are expected to raise the fire risk.

Victoria is facing extreme fire danger as a severe heat wave moves across southern Australia. The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting extreme or catastrophic fire danger for all parts of Victoria on Friday. Temperatures have exceeded 45°C in some areas and Melbourne recorded its hottest temperature since January 2020. Thunderstorms expected later in the week are forecast to produce dry lightning and damaging gusts that could increase fire risk. Key points: - The Bureau of Meteorology has issued extreme to catastrophic fire danger forecasts for all parts of Victoria on Friday. - A severe heat wave has pushed temperatures above 45°C in places and has been described as the country's worst since the 2019-20 Black Summer fires. - Thunderstorms with dry lightning and strong wind gusts are expected and are reported to raise the risk of new ignitions and erratic fire behavior. - Several bushfires are already burning in Victoria and evacuation orders have been issued for some small communities. Summary: The forecast signals heightened risk of new and spreading fires across Victoria and could affect nearby states as the heat wave moves east. Officials report the heat wave is expected to reach New South Wales on Thursday and that fire danger in Victoria will be highest on Friday; further developments are undetermined at this time.