As the Lucindale fire in South Australia's south-east took hold yesterday, Neil and Chris Watts raced home to find "flames everywhere".
Today they were left to scour through the burnt remains of their home of more than 40 years.
"Came straight here and that's when we found the place on fire, just about flames everywhere, couldn't do much about it," Mr Watts said.
More than 100 people were evacuated as the fire raged towards homes.
While most homes and the township itself was saved, damage to farms has been extensive with sheds and machinery destroyed.
"For me it's a bit of a numb feeling, I can't really explain. Probably might take a little bit longer to sink in, another couple of days probably to realise that you've lost everything," Mr Watts said.
The blaze burned through 14,073 hectares of land, saw power and mobile communications cut to more three thousand properties, making dealing with the devastation even harder.
READ MORE: South Australia fire threat eases but Lucindale residents still on high alert
The Country Fire Service said there had been "significant" losses to fencing and thousands of livestock were either killed or badly injured.
The threat from the fire eased earlier today, with a wind change and cooler temperatures of about 30C aiding the firefighting effort.
Up to 200 firefighters and more than 40 trucks were on the ground during the firefighting effort.
Aircraft will continue to fly over the fire ground today to monitor for any new outbreaks.
The hot weather has also arrived in other parts of Western Australia, with the relentless wet weather typical of La Nina being replaced by hotter, drier winds from the north and west.
Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra are in for a sunny day to continue what is forecast to be a warm week ahead.
Despite this week's warmer weather is that very few extreme temperatures are likely.
While parts of Victoria and South Australia exceeded 40C yesterday, and Melbourne reached 36.7C, this looks to be a relatively short burst of hot air, with conditions set to moderate by the end of the week.
Troughs are generating areas of heavy rain, showers & storms in northern Queensland, and the odd storm about the Top End.
A trough and cold front crossing the southeast is triggering showers and storms in parts of Victoria and Tasmania.
Other troughs are maintaining intense heat in Western Australia..
Here's your state-by-state weather forecast for Tuesday, January 12 2021:
New South Wales and the ACT
Mostly sunny, warm in the east. Mostly sunny, hot in the west.
Sydney will be mostly sunny with a low of 18C and a top of 29C.
Canberra will be mostly sunny morning with light winds, a low of 15C and top of 34C. Medium chance of showers during this afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm during this afternoon and evening.
Victoria
Mostly sunny, cool-to-cold in the south. Mostly sunny, hot in the north.
Melbourne has a slight chance of a light shower early this morning. Mostly sunny afternoon. low of 17C and a top of 22C.
A strong wind warning is in place for Central Gippsland Coast and East Gippsland Coast.
Queensland
Mostly sunny, mild-to-warm in the southeast. Showers/storms easing, very warm in the northeast. Showers/storms, very warm in the northwest. Sunny, very warm in the southwest.
Brisbane will be partly cloudy with a slight chance of a shower. Daytime temperatures will range between a low of 20C and a top of 29C.
Western Australia
Mostly sunny, warm-to-very warm in the southwest and south. Windy, very hot in the northwest. Mostly sunny, very warm in the northeast.
Perth a low of 18C and a top of 32C Mostly sunny. Winds gusting to 50 km/h at times about the hills in the morning.
Gale Warning for the Perth Local Waters, Lancelin Coast and Perth Coast.
Strong Wind Warning for the Pilbara Coast West, Ningaloo Coast, Gascoyne Coast, Geraldton Coast, Bunbury Geographe Coast and Leeuwin Coast.
South Australia
Increasing sunshine, warm to very warm in the southeast and central. Mostly sunny, warm-to-hot in the west and north.
Adelaide will be mostly sunny with a low of 15C and a top of 30C.
Northern Territory
Showers/storms, very warm in the north. Mostly sunny, very warm-to-hot over the interior and south.
Darwin will be partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the late morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm with gusty winds. Light winds becoming NW 15 to 20 km/h in the early afternoon then becoming light in the evening.
A number of areas are forecast to come close to 40C today including Bradshaw, Kidman Springs, Wave Hill, Kunanurra and Elliot.
Tasmania
Clearing shower, mild in the south. Mostly sunny, mild-to-warm in the northwest. Clearing shower, mild in the northeast.
Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers early this morning. Daytime maximum temperatures between 17C and 21C.
