2012 was a slightly quieter year for fires, but southern Australia & Tasmania are currently having the same weather we had in 2009 when several hundred people died & hundreds of houses & properties were destroyed.

The extreme hot weather has been in the region where Joybell lives, but the fires aren't anywhere near her, tho the Fire Danger is high all cross the region.

Fire risk high as southern states swelter Extremely hot, dry and windy conditions have put southern states on the most extreme fire alert for several years.

Temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius are forecast across a wide area, as a heatwave continues to grip the region.

Crews are battling fires in Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales. (read on)

Fires rage across Tasmania

Tasmanian fire crews battle multiple blazes

Victorian blaze continues burning out of control Victorian fire authorities say a blaze burning in Victoria's far south-west will keep burning until tomorrow.

The blaze broke out in plantations near Nelson yesterday and has burned through more than 2,000 hectares of plantation and heathland and into the Lower Glenelg National Park.

The CFA says the fire has become so large that it will not be possible to bring it under control tonight, despite cooler conditions halting the fire's progress.

But it also says the fire is not a threat to lives or property. (read on)