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Perth Battles Fires As Australia Braces For Three-Day Heatwave

There is no relief in sight.

Emergency crews continued to battle a fire in Perth on Thursday while the rest of the country braced for a scorching heatwave set to sweep across Australia this weekend.

Temperatures are expected to hit above 40 degrees in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The heatwave is caused by a high pressure system that has been sitting over central Australia for weeks, giving us no relief from the hot nights and sizzling days.

The towns of Bourke and Echuca and Penrith in western Sydney will cop three straight days of temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius. The towns of Birdsville and Moomba are set to endure four consecutive days over 45 degrees.

Meanwhile, a fire is threatening homes in the eastern part of Bedfordale in the city of Armadale, on the outskirts of Perth. The fire was first reported at 4:47pm on Wednesday evening. More than 120 fire fighters battled the blaze with aerial support pausing their efforts overnight, according the the ABC. The fire remained stationary but was burning out of control as of last night.

Residents were urged to evacuate or prepare to defend their properties and an evacuation centre was set up at Armadale Arena, on the corner of Forrest Road and Townley Street, Armadale. There have been no reported damage to properties.

Authorities say it is too early to determine the cause of the fire. Rain is expected to ease fire conditions in Perth today.

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