(CNN) -- Authorities are asking residents in some some parts of south Australia to evacuate their homes as an impending heat wave prompted the nation to issue its first "catastrophic" brush fire warning.



The warning system was put in place to better alert residents after a devastating brush fire ravaged the southeastern state of Victoria in February, killing more than 170 people and destroying 2,000 homes.



During that fire, many residents stayed to defend their property.



Though authorities still cannot mandate that people leave, the new warning system urges people to flee.



The Code Red "Catastrophic" warning was issued for the Eastern Eyre Peninsula and West Coast districts in the state of South Australia. Are you there? Send your pictures, video



Such a rating means that even well-constructed and defended homes might not be safe from the blaze, the South Australian Fire Service said.



In addition, three other districts -- Flinders, North West Pastoral and Lower Eyre Peninsula -- were placed under an "Extreme" watch. Such a rating means that only well-constructed homes can withstand the flames.



An intense heat wave -- with temperatures climbing to 104 F (40 C) -- is expected to hit the areas until the weekend. The region is already in the midst of a severe drought. Coupled with low humidity and strong winds, the soaring temperatures will make it ripe for fires to ignite.



Any fire that breaks out will be uncontrollable, the fire service said. People in their path will likely die, it added.
What was the number of homes affected? Where will the heat wave hit? When was the devastating fire? What did the fire ravage? Where did a devastating fire ravage in February? What number of lives were claimed by the fire? When was the warning system put into place? The fire claimed how many lives? What temperature did the heat wave reach?
2,000 some parts of south Australia February, southeastern state of Victoria southeastern state of Victoria killing more than 170 people after a devastating brush fire ravaged the southeastern state of Victoria in February, more than 170 104 F (40 C)
question: What was the number of homes affected?, answer: 2,000 | question: Where will the heat wave hit?, answer: some parts of south Australia | question: When was the devastating fire?, answer: February, | question: What did the fire ravage?, answer: southeastern state of Victoria | question: Where did a devastating fire ravage in February?, answer: southeastern state of Victoria | question: What number of lives were claimed by the fire?, answer: killing more than 170 people | question: When was the warning system put into place?, answer: after a devastating brush fire ravaged the southeastern state of Victoria in February, | question: The fire claimed how many lives?, answer: more than 170 | question: What temperature did the heat wave reach?, answer: 104 F (40 C)