Southern Australia is roasting as temperatures climb as high as 117 degrees Fahrenheit, and cool reprieve isn't expected until the end of this week. Average temperatures in the summer in this region of Australia reach 79 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Firefighters are on hand as a severe fire danger rating is in effect for seven of the region's 15 districts. In Melbourne, tennis fans are baking as the Australian Open wraps its second day. A dwindling group of spectators braving the heat are sporting light clothing as armor against the sun while players are retreating to bags of ice between matches.
A man sunbathes in the midday sun during a heat wave at Glenelg beach on Jan. 13 in Adelaide.
In an effort to help their residents beat the heat, keepers at Melbourne Zoo have been handing out a variety of iced treats. But forget your typical ice lollies and ice cream, these chilly offerings were something a little different. For Honey the Syrian Bear there was a fish, fruit and vegetable iced combo.
A teenager jumps from the jetty during a heat wave at Glenelg beach.
Vasek Pospisil of Canada serves to Samuel Groth of Australia during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne.
Tennis fans cool down in the warm conditions during day one of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Jan. 13 in Melbourne.
Firefighters battle against a devastating bushfire in Perth's hills on Jan. 13 in Perth, Australia.
Fifteen heat-stressed baby Flying Foxes (bats) are lined up ready to feed at the Australia Bat Clinic near the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia on Jan. 9. Thousands of bats near Brisbane and the Gold Coast have succumbed to the extreme heat falling out of trees and dying during a heat wave in which heat records are being set in Australia after the hottest year ever.
A teengager jumps off the Glenelg jetty during a heat wave at Glenelg Beach on Jan. 13 in Adelaide, Australia. Temperatures are expected to be over 40 degrees celsius all week.
Tennis fans protect themselves from the sun during a first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne.
In an effort to help their residents beat the heat, keepers at Melbourne Zoo have been handing out a variety of iced treats. Harari the lion noshes on a 30-liter blood popsicle.
Tennis fans cool off in front of a mister fan as Melbourne heads toward 109 degrees Fahrenheit during day two of the 2014 Australian Open.
People sunbathe as they enjoy the warm weather at Elwood Beach on Jan. 14 in Melbourne. Temperatures are expected to reach over 40 degrees Celsius in parts of Victoria over the next four days.
A teenager cools off on a waterslide during a heat wave at Glenelg on Jan. 13 in Adelaide.
Tennis fans cool down in a fountain during the hot weather on day two of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Jan. 14.
Firefighters battle against a devastating bushfire in Perth's hills on Jan. 13.
Tennis fans watch the action on Rod Laver Arena during day two of the 2014 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Jan. 14.
Kei Nishikori of Japan wraps an ice pack around his head during a break in his first round match against Marinko Matosevic of Australia at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne.
Image: Mal Fairclough/AFP/Getty Images