Winds of up to 150km/h and temperatures in the low 30s are expected to create extreme fire conditions across Australia's south state of Victoria on Tuesday, forcing some local residents to flee their home again Monday.

Authorities have warned fire conditions will be almost as bad as Black Saturday three weeks ago, when at least 210 people perished and nearly 2000 homes burnt down.

As warnings were ramped up on Monday about the extreme fire conditions ahead, many decided to get out. More were expected to follow in the evening, Australian Associated Press reported.

It's even threatening to return to towns already devastated, although communities such as Flowerdale and Kinglake in central Victoria are more likely to be hit by the winds than flames, the report said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2009)