Extreme heat and bushfire risk across Australia’s south-east on Christmas and Boxing days as Grampians blaze rages

Three states face dangerous fire conditions as a wave of hot and dry weather triggers total fire bans and warnings of power outages

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A scorching blast of hot, dry and windy weather is fanning fires in multiple states and territories, as emergency services direct their attention to Victoria ahead of Boxing Day.

Firefighters are working to contain blazes in almost every jurisdiction, with multiple fires burning east of Perth, in Victoria's Grampians region and in Smithfield north of Adelaide, as temperatures in the South Australian capital push towards 36C.

Total fire bans are in place for the Mount Lofty Ranges and west coast region.

Fire services are working to control minor blazes and scrub fires in the NT, NSW and in Sprent, southwest of Tasmania's Davenport.

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