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CANBERRA – Festival organizers in the Australian state of Victoria are postponing or canceling events due to a heat wave. Authorities have warned of an increased risk of wildfires.
© ANP / HH
Festivals in Australia postponed or canceled due to heat wave
The Australian weather agency warns of a heat wave in the states of Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania with temperatures that could reach 40 degrees or higher.
The Moomba Festival parade in Victoria’s capital Melbourne, which was due to take place on Monday, has been canceled “to ensure the safety of artists, spectators, our employees and volunteers”, the organization said. Because the participants often have to walk in the full sun, often wearing heavy costumes, the organizers say it is not responsible to hold the parade. The festival itself can continue, because there are sufficient shaded areas and water available.
‘Extreme fire hazard’
Melbourne’s Yarraville Festival, which includes a dog parade and outdoor entertainment, has been postponed by a week due to high temperatures. Organizers of the Pitch music and arts festival in south-west Victoria moved program items on Saturday after firefighters warned of “extreme fire danger” that day.
Last month, 22,000 hectares of land were lost in bushfires in Australia. Between July 2019 and March 2020, 33 people died in wildfires and approximately 24 million hectares of land went up in flames.
