Highly dangerous bushfire conditions and a deluge of rain are expected over the next three days, prompting emergency services to ask locals to be ready.
A Total Fire Ban has been declared for the Murraylands and Mount Lofty Ranges tomorrow, with both regions given an Extreme Fire Danger rating amid high temperatures and strong wind gusts.
Temperatures across the Murraylands and Adelaide Hills are expected to peak in the high 30’s.
A cool change is expected to sweep across the state from lunchtime onwards, bringing with it potential rainfall totals of up to 30mm on Saturday in the Adelaide Hills and surrounds.
Large parts of regional SA are set to be in even more danger, with a Catastrophic Fire Danger rating applying to the Riverland, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Flinders, Mid North and Yorke Peninsula.
A joint press conference was held this afternoon by the Country Fire Service, the SA State Emergency Service and Bureau of Meterology, which highlighted the severity of the impending weather.
Liz Connell, SES Acting Chief Officer, said now was the time to prepare ahead of the forecast severe weather.
“We know severe weather events can have a large impact on communities and we urge people to prepare themselves and their properties now,” she said.
The CFS echoed the call, stating that tomorrow’s forecast is one of the most significant fire weather days in recent memory.
“We have seen the impact of bushfires, and the conditions that spark them, too many times and we don’t want the public to think they are immune to the threat of fire,” said CFS Chief Officer Brett Loughlin said.
“Our volunteer firefighters are on high alert and ready to respond, however, fires can threaten suddenly, without warning and can travel very fast, so it’s important the community are alert to what’s happening around them,” Mr Loughlin said.
For more information about the fire danger ratings and total fire bans, visit the CFS website at www.cfs.sa.gov.au.
