Residents warned to take shelter as bushfires burn in South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania

<p>Extreme fire danger and total bans have been declared for large parts of the east coast with sweltering temperature accompanied by hot and dry winds</p><ul><li>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></li></ul><p>Extreme fire danger and total fire bans have been declared for much of South Australia and Victoria, including Melbourne, as hot and dry winds bring sweltering temperatures to the region on Saturday.</p><p>Residents have be warned to shelter indoors as bushfires burn out of control in three states.</p><p><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=copyembed">Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email</a></strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/22/extreme-fire-danger-across-most-of-south-australia-and-victoria-as-cyclones-threaten-to-form-near-queensland-and-wa">Continue reading...</a>