Bushfire conditions 'worse than Ash Wednesday'

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Victoria faces a never-before-seen bushfire risk which could eclipse the deadly Ash Wednesday fires of 1983, as temperatures are expected to reach 46 degrees across south-east Australia this weekend.

Victoria fire authorities say a fire burning in a state park southeast of Melbourne is likely to break control lines and threaten nearby communities as temperatures are expected to hit the mid-40s by tomorrow backed by high winds.

The fire, in the Bunyip State Park, is currently five kilometres north of Tonimbuk near Pakenham and the towns of Labertouche and Tonimbuk are also in the firing line.

Jindivick, Bunyip, Drouin West and Longwarry have also been warned of the possibility of smoke falling embers and fire.

Temperatures to reach 46

Victoria faces a never-seen-before bushfire risk this weekend, with conditions tipped to be worse than those that led to the deadly Ash Wednesday fires of 1983. (AAP)

Temperatures of up to 46 degrees are forecast for Mildura and Swan Hill tomorrow with high winds.

Victorians are urged to stay away from parks and bushland some parks will be closed.

Fire fears in NSW

Fire crews across NSW also fear bushfire outbreaks as temperatures will soar from today and remain high until late on Sunday, when a southerly change is expected to bring cooler conditions.

The mercury will range from the mid 30s to the mid 40s in western and far western NSW and the Riverina.

Along the north and south coasts temperatures will range from the low-to-mid 30s until the change.

Around Sydney, the city will reach the mid-30s on the weekend with residents of western suburbs having to endure temperatures near 44 degrees.

The Rural Fire Service (RFS) is monitoring a number of lighting strikes that may become a problem as hot northwesterly winds strike parts of NSW.

SA expects resurgence of heat

The weather bureau said Adelaide would also have a 41 degree day on Saturday before a cooler change would drop the temperature back to the mid-20s for Sunday.

The extreme heat followed the city sweltering through six consecutive days above 40 degrees from last Tuesday to Sunday.

SA Health chief medical officer Paddy Phillips said people must continue to keep checking on their elderly relatives, friends and neighbours to ensure they are keeping cool and hydrated.

"It is vital that people use their common sense in dealing with the heat," he said.

"Please keep well hydrated with water and avoid alcoholic and caffeinated drinks, use your air conditioners and fans, dress sensibly, stay indoors where you can and seek medical attention if you are feeling unwell."

As Adelaide sweltered last week there was a spike in the number of sudden deaths, filling the city's morgue to near capacity.

South Australian coroner Mark Johns said heat appeared to be a factor in some of those deaths but more investigations would be required to determine if it was a direct cause.