Three out-of-control bushfires 'likely to merge today' creating mega fire

Australia is bracing for extreme fire conditions on Friday, with soaring temperatures and hot dry winds, creating the potential for three out of control bushfires to merge into a mega fire on the east coast.

On South Australia’s Kangaroo Island, a bushfire has roared back to life and despite the rain, shows no sign of stopping, while on the west coast a bushfire is quickly spreading and endangering suburbia.

NSW set for ‘erratic’ fire conditions

Temperatures are forecast to be in the high 30s to low 40s in many parts of NSW, and north-westerly winds with low humidity will make fire behaviour “erratic and dangerous” today across the state, where more than 130 fires are burning, nearly half of which are uncontained.

Given the dangerous conditions, there is a chance three of the out-of-control blazes on the NSW south coast will merge, as per the NSW RFS Fire Spread Prediction map.

“Quite a number of them are likely to merge today,” a NSW RFS spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia, adding the merging of the fires isn’t likely to cause any more fires.

The Fire Spread Prediction map shows the potential merging of the Werri Berri fire, the Badja Forest fire and the Clyde Mountain fire.

The Werri Berri blaze in the Snowy Mountains region is still burning out of control and has spread over 21,000 hectares and the northern front of the fire could meet with the south end of the Badja Forest Road fire, which is burning on the NSW south coast has already merged with the Coondella fire in the Deua National Park.

There is also a chance the Badja Forest Fire will merge with another fire the Clyde Mountain fire, which is still burning out of control and recently decimated the Batemans Bay area, burning through 83,000 hectares.

However the RFS warns communities may come under threat from embers or fire fronts, and if conditions change or fires breach containment lines, surrounding areas may come under threat.

• 'We're not out of the woods': Dire weather prediction for the rest of the bushfire season

• 'It's a miracle': Uninsured family who lost home in bushfires win the lotto

• 'Outright lies': Firefighter's blunt post about misinformation amid bushfire crisis

“There may potentially be new fires burning in these areas that we do not yet know about, which may threaten you without warning,” the RFS said in a warning.

The Rural Fire Service has placed total fire bans on 10 regions across the state on Friday ahead of forecast hot and windy weather.

An extreme fire warning is in place for the southern slopes while severe fire warnings have been issued for the Monaro alpine region, ACT, southern ranges and eastern Riverina.

Total fire bans are in place in north-western NSW, greater Sydney, central ranges, the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, southern ranges, far south coast, Monaro alpine, southern slopes, eastern Riverina and northern Riverina.

Victorians brace for increased fire danger

Emergency services in Victoria are bracing for a tough day due to temperatures reaching the 40s in the state’s fire-ravaged east and northeast, as the state of disaster extends into the weekend.

The blistering heat will be followed by a cool change bringing winds with peak gusts of up to 90km/h and possible dry lightning.

On Thursday, it was announced the state would extend the state of emergency into the weekend.

Two emergency warnings were made for eastern areas of the state on Thursday.

Two "evacuate now" alerts were also issued for a northeastern Victoria area west of Mt Buffalo that included Bennies and Cheshunt South.

Premier Daniel Andrews has pleaded with Victorians to leave fire-danger areas when alerts were issued.

“If it is safe to get out, then you must get out. That is the only way to guarantee your safety,” Mr Andrews said on Thursday.

About 67,000 people left East Gippsland last week as the fire disaster unfolded there.

Kangaroo Island fire roars back to life

Emergency warnings are still in place for the Kangaroo Island towns of Parndana and Vivonne Bay and a watch and act warning was issued for the outskirts of Kingscote, the largest town on the holiday island.

It was the first time warnings had extended so far east since the bushfires began in late December.

Serious fears were held for Parndana as a fire front moved through the central districts, while there were some reports that a fire front bearing down on Vivonne Bay had been halted.

However, the emergency warning extended across an area to the east, west and north of the small south coast village.

A cool change was approaching from the west late on Thursday, bringing some rain but unlikely to be enough to significantly impact areas burning strongly.

However, cooler and more humid conditions are likely to give firefighters a chance to strengthen containment lines.

Bushfire threatens lives and homes in Perth suburbs

Around 180 firefighters are battling a blaze near Baldivis, about 40km south of Perth since midday on Thursday.

An emergency warning remains in place for the area and spans 20km north to Casuarina.

The bushfire has already burnt through 300 hectares and is aided by strong winds.

The Red Cross says people affected should register now to let family and friends know they are okay.

-With AAP

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.