Australia Faces Record High Temperatures, Raising Fire Risks

Parts of Australia could see record high temperatures in coming days as the second major heatwave in a month sweeps across three states, elevating wildfire risks and boosting electricity demand.

Temperatures in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia climbed toward records in some areas on Monday, with the heat expected to worsen on Tuesday, said Dean Narramore, a senior meteorologist with the Bureau of Meteorology. The mercury could rise as high as 49C (120F) in some regions, he said.