Warning system put in place to better alert residents after a devastating fire ravaged Adelaide in February . During that fire , many residents stayed to protect their property as the fire claimed many lives and 2,000 homes . An intense heat wave -- with temperatures up to 104 F ( 40 °C ) -- is expected to hit south Australia until weekend .
Warning system put in place to better alert residents after a devastating fire ravaged Victoria in February . During that fire , many residents stayed to defend their property as the fire claimed 170 lives and 2,000 homes . An intense heat wave -- with temperatures climbing to 104 F ( 40 C ) -- is expected to hit south Australia until weekend .