Neo-Nazis and trans rights protesters clash in Melbourne; bushfire alert for parts of Great Ocean Road – as it happened

The fire danger ratings in parts of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales have reached “high” or “extreme” levels today.

An extreme rating means anyone living in those areas is advised to make sure their bushfire survival plan is ready and their properties are prepared, as any fires in those places could “spread quickly and be extremely dangerous.”

Here’s a summary of conditions.

Victoria

Extreme fire danger in regions of Wimmera, South West, Central and North Central.

Total fire bans in the Mallee, Wimmera, South West, Northern Country, North Central and Central, which includes Melbourne and Geelong.

South Australia

Extreme fire danger for regions of Flinders, mid-north and Riverland. Total fire bans across these three regions, which includes the areas of Flinders Ranges, Mount Remarkable, Orroroo Carrieton, Peterborough, Port Augusta, Clare and Gilbert Valley, Goyder, Light Regional Council, Mallala, Northern Areas, Port Pirie City and District, Wakefield, Berri Barmera, Loxton Waikerie and Renmark Paringa

New South Wales

High fire danger ratings across much of the central and south eastern areas of the state. Total fire ban in the central region, which includes Goulburn Mulwaree, Upper Lachlan, Yass Valley and Queanbeyan-Palerang.

My colleague Peter Hannam has this story this morning on how that heat has pushed its way to the east of the country.

Related: Late-season heat may hit weekend sport and break temperature records across eastern Australia