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7.44pm
The Rural Fire Service have declared a total fire ban for the Eastern Riverina region, which includes Albury and Greater Hume municipal areas.
The announcement came as Albury-Wodonga sweltered through its hottest day of record – reaching a peak of 45.3 at 3.13pm.
In Yarrawonga, the temperature hit 45.7 degrees at 4.19pm, equalling but not exceeding the 2013 January record and falling short of the all time heat record.
Despite reaching maximum temperature of 45.9 and 44.3 respectively neither Rutherglen nor Wagga broke their all time heat records.
On Wednesday, a haystack on Jacks Road, Rutherglen caught fire, with smoke visible from nearby roads and communities.
During the total fire ban no fires may be lit in the open and all fire permits are suspended, gas and electric barbecues can be used given certain conditions are met.
Victoria’s Country Fire Authority had not declared a total fire ban in the North East region as of 7pm on Wednesday.
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Mr Westwood said it was vital people were not complacent about the risk of fire in the region, or about the dangers of heat stoke.
“Fire is not the only risk during this time of the year, the community plays a really important part in preventing calls outs not only to fire, but the little things people can do at the moment to keep save will lessen the load on emergency service,” he said.
Fire and Rescue’s Stewart Alexander said there was no reason why animals or children should be left in cars during this heat.
“People need to be extra cautious in this hot weather, to look out for their own health and keep an eye on the vulnerable – the old and the young,” he said.
“Temperatures in cars can rise very, very quickly, so don’t leave anybody, any children or any animals unattended in vehicles.”
The Bureau of Meteorology predict temperature will remain in the 40s until the weekend where they dip into the high 30s.
The 40 degree temperatures are forecast to return next Tuesday.
PREVIOUSLY
3.30pm
The Border region is sweltering through its hottest day since official records began in 1973, with the mercury soaring to 45.3 in Albury at 3.13pm.
The new record temperature, recorded by the Bureau of Meteorology at 3.13pm, surpasses the 44.8 degrees experienced on Black Saturday, February 7, 2009, setting a new record.
Wednesday’s heatwave also marked the second consecutive day January’s heat record was broken.
Temperatures on both Tuesday and Wednesday reached highs of 43.9 degrees and 45.3 degrees, respectively, in Albury-Wodonga.
Breaking, and re-breaking, the previous record temperature for January of 43.6 degrees, set on January 16, 2014.
In Yarrawonga, the temperature hit 45.7 degrees at 4.19pm, equalling but not exceeding the 2013 January record and falling short of the all time heat record.
Despite reaching maximum temperature of 45.9 and 44.3 respectively neither Rutherglen nor Wagga broke their all time heat records.
With no end in sight to the heatwave that’s already broken the January heat record twice, border firefighters, health professionals and animal rescuers hold grave fears for the region and it’s inhabitants.
The consistently high temperatures are putting vulnerable residents at risk and causing exhausted animals to leave their habitats and venture into built up areas, often with disastrous consequences.
Border firefighters are preparing for the worst with Country Fire Authority District 24 operations officer Adrian Gutsche saying dangers are present both during heatwaves and when they break.
He said as the heatwave continued residents need to look out for each other.
“The public tends to lose a lot more people… to heat related health issues than we do with fire,” he said.
“At some stage the hot weather will clear out and the day it clears out will be a significant fire danger weather day.
“If we get lightning and no significant rain, we’ll see multiple ignition points occurring in a very dry landscape.
Mr Gutsche’s Rural Fire Service counterpart, superintendent Pat Westwood agrees.
He said already in the past few weeks lighting had ignited fires across the region – including ten in one afternoon.
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