Fire evacuations, floods and possible snow: Australia’s wild weather in the lead-up to Christmas

A fire in Creswick, north west of Melbourne. Large parts of Australia face high bushfire risk this summer, as authorities also warn people to be ready for cyclones, floods and heatwaves. Photograph: Supplied

Australia is being “hit with a mix of everything” as parts of Queensland flood, while fires threaten towns in Victoria and snow is forecast across three states, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

Emergency warnings were in place for fires burning in Victoria’s Grampians national park on Saturday, with residents from Watgania to Halls Gap being told to evacuate.