Less than a week after receiving word my UK colleagues couldn't reach their offices because of heavy snowfalls, here in Melbourne we are heading into a day of "catastrophic" fire conditions and a forecast maximum of 43°C. Talk about opposite ends of the Earth!

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Today is the first time the Code Red, or catastrophic fire warning has been issued since its introduction following Black Saturday in 2009, a day during which 173 people died and 414 were injured. This warning, issued for the western areas in Victoria recommends people leave their properties the night before, or early morning at the latest. The campsite my wife and I stayed in before Christmas is one of many being evacuated this morning.