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| Searing temperatures fan Australia wildfires | Searing temperatures fan Australia wildfires |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| High winds and record temperatures have fanned fires in south-east Australia, as the prime minister warned of a "very dangerous day". | High winds and record temperatures have fanned fires in south-east Australia, as the prime minister warned of a "very dangerous day". |
| More than 100 fires have already been reported in New South Wales, with residents in some areas urged to leave. | More than 100 fires have already been reported in New South Wales, with residents in some areas urged to leave. |
| An uncontrolled fire is burning by the Tasman peninsula, near areas already hit by blazes over the weekend. | An uncontrolled fire is burning by the Tasman peninsula, near areas already hit by blazes over the weekend. |
| Teams in Victoria are also fighting a blaze, as Australia's heat wave continues. | Teams in Victoria are also fighting a blaze, as Australia's heat wave continues. |
| Four areas in New South Wales have been given a "catastrophic" fire danger rating, meaning that if fires break out they will be uncontrollable and fast-moving, so residents should leave. | Four areas in New South Wales have been given a "catastrophic" fire danger rating, meaning that if fires break out they will be uncontrollable and fast-moving, so residents should leave. |
| Prime Minister Julia Gillard said residents had to stay alert. | Prime Minister Julia Gillard said residents had to stay alert. |
| "The word catastrophic is being used for good reason," she said. "So it is very important that people keep themselves safe, that they listen to local authorities and local warnings. | "The word catastrophic is being used for good reason," she said. "So it is very important that people keep themselves safe, that they listen to local authorities and local warnings. |
| "This is a very dangerous day." | "This is a very dangerous day." |
| Record heat | Record heat |
| The fires and warnings follow days of searing heat. In a statement, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology revealed that for each of the first six days of 2013, the "national area-average" temperature had been in the top 20 hottest days on record. | The fires and warnings follow days of searing heat. In a statement, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology revealed that for each of the first six days of 2013, the "national area-average" temperature had been in the top 20 hottest days on record. |
| It was also the first time that average national top temperatures over 39C had been recorded on five consecutive days, the bureau said. | It was also the first time that average national top temperatures over 39C had been recorded on five consecutive days, the bureau said. |
| Bans on lighting fires are in place across New South Wales, Canberra, Tasmania and Victoria. | Bans on lighting fires are in place across New South Wales, Canberra, Tasmania and Victoria. |
| In New South Wales, temperatures had passed 40C by midday at the coast. Winds of up to 80kph (50mph) have also been forecast. | In New South Wales, temperatures had passed 40C by midday at the coast. Winds of up to 80kph (50mph) have also been forecast. |
| All national parks, state forests and reserves have been closed to the public and many tourists are reported to be leaving campsites. | All national parks, state forests and reserves have been closed to the public and many tourists are reported to be leaving campsites. |
| Twenty fires were burning uncontained and State Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said they "could be influenced by the adverse weather and take a run." | |
| "It's shaping up to be a very difficult day," he added. "You don't get conditions worse than this." | "It's shaping up to be a very difficult day," he added. "You don't get conditions worse than this." |
| Fires are burning along the New South Wales coast, and also in the north-west of the state, but the largest concentration is in the south-west, around the Canberra area. | |
| The four areas given a "catastrophic" fire danger rating - Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Southern Ranges and Riverina - are in this region. | |
| More than 100 houses were destroyed in Tasmania over the weekend by fire. Teams have been searching through destroyed buildings but no deaths have been reported. | More than 100 houses were destroyed in Tasmania over the weekend by fire. Teams have been searching through destroyed buildings but no deaths have been reported. |
| A blaze between Forcett and the Tasman Peninsula - from which many people were evacuated by boat over the weekend - has been upgraded to dangerous, with residents instructed to go to a local boat ramp or beach. | A blaze between Forcett and the Tasman Peninsula - from which many people were evacuated by boat over the weekend - has been upgraded to dangerous, with residents instructed to go to a local boat ramp or beach. |
| A big fire is also burning in Yarrabin, 100km (60 miles) south of Canberra. The RFS say it is out of control and have advised residents to seek shelter, saying it is too late to leave. | A big fire is also burning in Yarrabin, 100km (60 miles) south of Canberra. The RFS say it is out of control and have advised residents to seek shelter, saying it is too late to leave. |
| In western Victoria, a fire in Kentbruck is burning out of control. More than 7,000 hectares (17,000 acres) of pine plantation has been destroyed and the blaze is now threatening the community of Drik Drik. | In western Victoria, a fire in Kentbruck is burning out of control. More than 7,000 hectares (17,000 acres) of pine plantation has been destroyed and the blaze is now threatening the community of Drik Drik. |
| A fire was also reported in an electrical substation building at the Lucas Heights nuclear research facility in the south of Sydney. | A fire was also reported in an electrical substation building at the Lucas Heights nuclear research facility in the south of Sydney. |
| The fire, believed to have been caused by an electrical failure, has been brought under control, local media report. | The fire, believed to have been caused by an electrical failure, has been brought under control, local media report. |
| Are you in Australia? Have you been affected by the wildfires? You can send us your experiences using the form below. | Are you in Australia? Have you been affected by the wildfires? You can send us your experiences using the form below. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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