Authorities fear bushfires already burning across south-east Australia could be unstoppable under high temperatures and hot, gusty winds predicted today.
There are also grave fears dry lightning could start new fires across parts of New South Wales and Victoria that haven’t already been devastated over recent days.
Temperatures in parts of each state will reach into the 40s, with Albury-Wodonga expected to hit a maximum of 46 degrees Celsius.
About 60 evacuees from the fire-hit Victorian coastal town of Mallacoota this morning arrived at Hastings, south-east of Melbourne, on the Navy training ship MV Sycamore.
About 1,000 more people are expected to arrive on another Navy ship, HMAS Choules, later today.