Australia’s unprecedented bushfire season caused the hottest ever temperature, which breaks even the 2013’s record of 104.5, Times of Israel reports. The meteorologists predict the rising temperature in the coming days.
In Australia, the average nationwide temperature hit a blistering 40.9 degrees Celsius (105.6° Fahrenheit), breaking the record registered six years ago. This week experienced the hottest heatwave, which will worsen.
The reason for the current unprecedented heat is bushfire season, the local Bureau of Meteorology confirmed on Wednesday. Over the bushfire season, six people killed and about 700 Australian homes destroyed.
“This heat will only intensify further today,” meteorologist Diana Eadie said.
The “mega-blaze” burning north of Sydney, made the firefighter work 24/7. Meanwhile, smoke from the fires has engulfed Sydney, raising air pollution to hazardous levels. The doctors have labelled that situation a “public health emergency”.
Record spot temperatures were recorded this week in Western Australia, at least 7.4 million acres have been torched across the country.
According to the scientists, the blazes have come earlier and with more intensity than usual due to global warming and a prolonged drought that has left the land tinder dry and many towns running out of water.
“Over the next few days we are going to see firefighters, the emergency services and all those communities close to fires… challenged with a new threat,” New South Wales fire commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons warned Wednesday.
The fires have sparked climate protests targeting the conservative government and prime minister Scott Morrison. Climate protesters plan to march on PM’s official residence in Sydney this week to rally for change and highlight his absence as large parts of the country burn.
Australian prime minister is holidaying at an undisclosed location overseas.
