Cooler weather brings relief to fire-ravaged Australia

Cooler weather has brought some relief to south-east Australia as fire crews continue to battle bushfires across several states.

Temperatures in New South Wales have fallen more than 10C, after one of the highest-risk fire days in its history.

But scorching conditions are predicted to return at the weekend and new fires are spreading despite the drop, authorities say.

The fires have destroyed buildings in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

Fire fighters in Queensland are monitoring conditions closely in the state's south, as hot weather moves towards the coast. Temperatures are forecast to reach the high 40s in some parts.

The fires follow days of searing heat. In a statement, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology revealed that for each of the first six days of 2013, the "national area-average" temperature had been in the top 20 hottest days on record.

Average national top temperatures on Monday of 40.33C set a new record. Figures for Tuesday have not yet been calculated by the Bureau of Meteorology.

The bureau has added new colours to its forecast chart to indicate temperatures above the previous 50C-limit because of the heat wave.