Australians Brace For Worsening Wildfire Weather

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Emergency officials are warning residents in southern Australia that weather conditions could cause still-burning wildfires to flare up.

The forecast calls for high temperatures, strong winds and lightning in Victoria state, where wildfires earlier this month killed more than 200 people.

Exhausted firefighters are still working to contain four major blazes in the region.

Emergency officials say residents need to decide quickly whether to stay and defend their homes from the flames or flee to safer areas.

Officials are increasingly worried that Friday's predicted temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit combined with strong, erratic winds and lightning could send the flames out of control.

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