Photo: ABC News / Lincoln Rothall
Victoria and South Australia experienced their hottest day in years, with the temperature rising above 40 degrees Celsius in multiple regions.
The heat has led to the outbreak and worsening of bushfires and grassfires in Victoria, while an out-of-control bushfire rages 27 kilometres from Perth.
The heatwave is expected to continue in the coming days, with temperatures expected to peak in Sydney towards the weekend.
South-east Australia has sweltered through its hottest day in years as firefighters in Victoria and Western Australia continue to battle out-of-control blazes.
Some towns recorded their warmest maximum temperatures in seven years on Wednesday, including Whyalla (45.8 degrees Celsius), Port Augusta (46.3C) and Port Lincoln (44.5C) in South Australia, and Warrnambool (41.3C) in Victoria.
Melbourne reached a top of 41C, its highest in six years, while Adelaide recorded a peak of 43C.
New South Wales border towns Deniliquin and Hay reached 43C and 45C
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