Australia's southeast on Saturday sweltered in a heat wave that raised the risk of bushfires and led authorities to issue fire bans for large parts of Victoria state.

Authorities in Australia have issued bushfire warnings and total fire bans in multiple states as extreme heat intensifies across the country over the holiday period. The big picture: Total fire bans have been issued for parts of South Australia,

Australia's southeast faces a severe heatwave, escalating bushfire risks across Victoria. Temperatures could hit 45°C, prompting fire bans and 'extreme' danger ratings. The change in wind on Sunday night might offer relief.