A GRASSFIRE at Mount McIntyre has prompted a safety warning from local Country Fire Service (CFS) volunteers as the mercury is expected to soar above 40 degrees for the first time in almost a year.
Community members are urged to stay safe and cool ahead of today’s high temperatures, with emergency departments briefed and on standby across the Limestone Coast.
Wattle Range Country Fire Service group officer Fred Stent said while the 2018/19 fire season had been slow, firefighters remained on alert.
Kalangadoo and Mount McIntyre CFS responded to a fire on Monday afternoon which had ignited on private property.
Two fire bombers, an observation chopper and police also attended.
Mr Stent said the cause of the blaze was unknown.
Despite the region being spared from extreme heat gripping the rest of the state, Mr Stent advised the public to remain vigilant today and the rest of the fire season.
“I remind people to be very vigilant and to report anything including smoke or perhaps leaving a scene where a fire was alight, this helps us capture the problems where they occur,” Mr Stent said.
“Sometimes wind can pick up embers and start a fire in another location.
“Be ready to put a fire plan in action as soon as you can or at least have one.”
Temperatures are expected to soar across the region, with Millicent tipped to reach 43, while the mercury is expected to hit 44 degrees in Penola and Coonawarra.
Coast-side, Robe is forecast to hit 37 degrees, with Keith expected to be among the hottest areas in the region with a sizzling 45 degrees.
Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Hannah Marsh told The South Eastern Times said today would be the first time since January 2018 the temperature has hit more than 40 degrees.
Comparatively, Adelaide has had three days above 40 and one day at 39.9 degrees.
“(The South East has) had a decent amount of time with the wind coming from the coast, resulting in those cooler temperatures,” Ms Marsh said.
“Tomorrow, we are going to have northerly winds dragging down all the hot air over central Australia.”
She said local residents could expect a change in temperature in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
“We have got a high over the Tasman Sea that is very slow moving and we do have a low pressure system that is in southern WA and will gradually move eastwards,” she said.
“We are expecting a change to come around on midnight or Thursday”.
SA Health chief medical officer Professor Paddy Phillips said although everyone was at risk of heat-related illness during hot weather, babies, young children, the elderly and people with chronic health conditions should exercise caution during extreme temperatures.
“When temperatures are hotter than 35c, your body may not be able to cool down enough for you to stay health, especially if you are an older person or if you are taking certain medicines,” he said.
“You can reduce your chance of becoming affected by the heat and unwell during very hot weather including drinking plenty of water, using fans or air conditioning, avoiding going outside in the hottest part of the day and keeping the home cool by closing curtains and blinds during the day.
“It is also important to think about how you’ll look after pets, family, friends and neighbours who might need help in a heat event.”
