Total fire bans declared across parts of South Australia and Victoria amid hot, gusty weather and temperatures six to 12C above average
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A short-lived heatwave is bringing hot, dry and windy conditions to much of southern Australia, with total fire bans in place and some areas experiencing catastrophic fire danger.
Forecaster Jonathan How from the Bureau of Meteorology said the combination of high temperatures and gusty winds was driving up fire dangers on Saturday, particularly across South Australia and Victoria.