Firefighters battling a massive month-old bushfire on Queensland’s Fraser Island face another challenging day, while authorities have declared severe to extreme bushfire risk across several districts in South Australia.
Most eastern capital cities were expected to experience warm spring weather on Sunday, with Melbourne to reach 33C, Brisbane 31C and Sydney 26C.
On Sunday morning the Fraser Island fire was burning on multiple fronts 1.2km north of Cathedrals Beach campground and headed south, the Department of Environment said on Sunday.
“Conditions are breezy. It’s forecast to be a hot one. As the temperature rises that will likely ramp up the fire,” a spokeswoman said.
Tourists were believed to have started the blaze after they lit an unauthorised campfire about a month ago.
Queensland fire and emergency crews were assisting rangers on the world heritage-listed national park.
Campers who were near to the fire were evacuated to the southern end of the island.
Total fire bans in parts of South Australia
South Australia is bracing for a day of severe to extreme bushfire risk with very hot conditions and rising winds.
The Country Fire Service declared a severe risk in six districts for Sunday while in the Flinders Ranges and the mid-north the risk was considered extreme.
All eight districts would have total fire bans in place.
The Bureau of Meteorology was forecasting gusty thunderstorms through the central and eastern parts of the state ahead of a cooler change.
“Some of these may be severe with damaging winds the main concern. Warnings are likely,” the bureau said.
Little or no rain was expected, raising concerns that lightning could spark fires.
A similar system which passed through on Tuesday resulted in more than 300,000 lightning strikes which started several significant fires including some which threatened towns on Yorke Peninsula.
Adelaide was forecast to have a top temperature of 37C on Sunday before a cooler 22C on Monday.
Further north, the mercury was forecast push into the low to mid-40s, with Oodnadatta expected to hit 46C and Roxby Downs and Coober Pedy 45C.