Australia Heat Wave Eases as Firefighters Battle Blazes

by Jordan Yerman | February 1, 2009 at 06:52 am

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People in Adelaide, South Australia, can breathe a little easier: the heat wave has eased. After enduring temperatures as high as 45.6C/114F, residents are no doubt delighted. The heat wave is blamed for the deaths of moe than 20 people.

Meanwhile, firefighters are still battling the blazes in Gippsland, Victoria, which have destroyed more than 25 houses.

Cooler temperatures and a light drizzle helped firefighters contain a blaze which scorched more than 6,500 hectares (16,000-acres) in the Gippsland area of southeastern Victoria state, the Country Fire Authority said.

Of course, "cooler temperatures" still means around 40C/104F.

On Friday, Melbourne thermometers topped 43C (109.4F) on a third successive day for the first time on record, while even normally mild Tasmania suffered its second-hottest day in a row, as temperatures reached 42.2C. Two days before, Adelaide hit a staggering 45.6C. After a weekend respite, more records are expected to be broken this week.