Melbourne’s Moomba parade cancelled due to heat as festivalgoers in Victoria advised to leave amid fire warnings

Pitch music and arts festival attenders urged to delay arrival, with those already on site advised to head home

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Festivalgoers at a music festival in Victoria's Grampians have been advised to leave amid the extreme heat and fire danger, while Melbourne's iconic Moomba Parade has been cancelled due to soaring temperatures.

Residents across four states have been experiencing stifling conditions, with high temperatures forecast over the long weekend in many parts of the country.

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