SYDNEY – An intense heat wave returned to Australia’s south and east on Tuesday, the first day of the southern hemisphere summer, raising risks of bush fires after the country sweltered through its hottest November on record.
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology expects temperatures to break records in the coming days due to the heat wave, which has been building across much of the country’s outback interior over the last week.
More than 30 fire crews are trying to contain a massive blaze at world heritage listed site Fraser Island off the coast of Queensland. The fires have razed nearly half of the popular tourist island’s land area, authorities said. (Reuters)
