Fire danger in southern Australia as weather bureau warns of ‘damaging winds’ and soaring temperatures

Bureau of Meteorology warns winds will ‘ramp up’ with fire risk in parts of New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia

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Soaring average temperatures and strong winds will lead to high and extreme fire danger warnings for parts of southern Australia this weekend.

The Bureau of Meteorology said the elevated risk was caused by high temperatures in Western Australia’s interior – up to 16C higher than the average – being pushed eastwards across the country.

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