Wildfires death toll 'could top forty' in Australia

At least 14 people died today as raging wildfires fanned by gale-force winds and scorching temperatures swept through south-eastern Australia, officials said.

Victoria deputy police commissioner Kieran Walshe said dozens of homes had been destroyed in the state and officials feared the death toll could ultimately be “in the 40s”.

Temperatures of around 117F (47C) and high winds spurred dozens of fires across three states today, and tens of thousands of firefighters were struggling to contain blazes late into the night.

MR Walshe said all the deaths happened in a huge blaze in north-western Victoria – including six people in one car.

A cool change later began sweeping through Victoria but, along with falling temperatures, came choppier winds which inflamed fires already burning and made them more unpredictable.

Fires also raged in New South Wales and South Australia today, but blazes there were largely contained or burning away from residential areas.

Wildfires are common during the Australian summer, as rising temperatures bake forest land tinder dry and blustering winds fan embers.

Some 60,000 fires occur each year, and about half are deliberately lit or suspicious, according to government research. Lightning strikes and human activity such as use of machinery near dry brush cause the others.

Backyard barbecues and the use of power tools were banned in high-risk areas today.