BRISBANE - Hot, dry and windy conditions are believed to have reignited embers from controlled burns, sparking several bushfires across southern Queensland.
A total fire ban was placed on southern Queensland and communities braced themselves for two days of extreme fire conditions.
Fire authorities said crews contained a blaze that destroyed part of the 13,000ha Durikai state forest near Stanthorpe.
Brisbane is sweltering through the hottest August days ever. Its August maximum temperature record of just under 33C was smashed by 35.4C yesterday.
The hottest temperature in Queensland was 36.4C at Amberley, west of Brisbane.
In Canberra, 12C set a new record for the hottest August night. Evans Head, on the NSW north coast, recorded the state's top daytime temperature at 36.8C. Sydney's maximum temperature of 25.4C for the period was recorded.
Climatologist Karl Braganza said temperatures this week had been about 10 to 15 degrees above average.
- AAP
Aussie communities braced for blazes
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