AS THE Limestone Coast heatwave enters its second day today with temperatures expected to soar to 40C, it is important for the community to keep cool and stay vigilant.
Temperatures reached 35C in Mount Gambier yesterday and the heat wave is far from over with a slightly cooler change not expected until sometime tomorrow.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Jonathan How said a high pressure system sitting in the Tasman Sea will see most of South Australia experience hot weather for a sustained period.
Fortunately the conditions are not expected to be as bad as the hot weather and wind the region experienced during the first weekend of January.
“We will not see the same level of temperatures and fire conditions over the south-eastern parts of the country – it will be hot, but not as hot as we saw earlier this month,” Mr How said.
Country Fire Service firefighters across the South East have been on high alert all fire season and regional commander John Probert said the community must be equally prepared during the hot weather.
“The general public need to have their action plans in place and if leaving is their option, to be fully prepared in regard to where they will go,” Mr Probert said.
“This is a particularly dangerous period because we have two more hot days ahead and fuels are sitting there ready to burn, so we are on high alert as a firefighting organisation.”
Following the well-publicised actions of people leaving hot coals to burn in several campfires across the South East on a catastrophic fire day earlier this month, Mr Probert pleaded with the community to remain vigilant.
“I plead with people to check all places they have had fires recently and make sure they are completely extinguished as the consequences of hot coals can be absolutely disastrous,” Mr Probert said.
“If a fire was to start through a person’s negligence, it is no less real and can potentially cause loss of property and life.
“If someone starts a fire they are responsible for any damage and will be held accountable.”
If a fire does start somewhere in the South East region, Mr Probert said the organisation will be ready to provide an instantaneous response.
“Our regional command incident headquarters is manned with personnel, we have bombers ready to go when the bell drops and our captains have made sure all crews in the region are fully-manned and ready to respond,” he said.
Mr How said we can expect an earlier cool weather change in the southern and coastal parts of South Australia compared to other parts of the state.
“We will start to see some relief over coastal parts of South Australia, most likely on Friday night and into Saturday,” Mr How said.
“In the heat, just stay cool, stay hydrated and always stay up-to-date with the latest forecasts and any advice from the health departments.”
