AS THE South East prepares to swelter in temperatures close to 40c today, the extreme fire danger it presents has Country Fire Service (CFS) volunteers on high alert.
With the fire danger rating at extreme, the CFS is preparing for difficult conditions, including high temperatures and winds gusts of up to 60kph.
CFS Region 5 duty officer Karen Barnes said residents should enact their bushfire survival plan as a precaution.
“It is going to be very hot across the South East and winds of around 30kph to 40kph are predicted,” Ms Barnes said.
“We are expecting a front to come through at some stage where the wind will change direction and increase in speed, but it might not be until early Thursday morning.”
The CFS has prepared for today’s conditions by imposing a total fire ban.
It was put in place as a precaution to eliminate the risk of a fire starting that might be unable to get under control by the time conditions worsen today.
“It is something that was imposed given the conditions we are set to experience, we certainly do not want to have a situation like we are currently seeing in New South Wales and Queensland,” Ms Barnes said.
“The fire we saw at Duck Ponds last week up near Port Lincoln is a timely reminder that it can happen in our own backyard and we need to be prepared.”
Despite the fire danger season not officially starting in the Lower South East until Friday, Ms Barnes said volunteers were on high alert.
“We have actually already had two fire ban days, so they have been on alert already in recent weeks,” Ms Barnes said.
“They have all been doing their training in skills and maintenance mainly for their protection in case they are involved in a burn over.”
She said if the region got through today unscathed, the hot weather would have a lasting effects.
“Due to the dry weather, the curing rate will increase and the moisture will be sucked out of the ground,” she said.
“The soil is already quite dry, but you can expect the region to look a little bit parched after today.”
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Jon Fischer said conditions were “pretty exceptional” for this time of year.
“You can expect a pretty warm day and night,” Mr Fischer said.
“It is a big flip on the pattern of the mild conditions we experienced early this week and will only be a short lived burst of heat, but it still presents an extreme fire danger.”
Mr Fisher said towns such as Robe, Coonawarra and Naracoorte were forecast to reach their highest maximum November temperature on record.
It has prompted a warning from the State Emergency Service (SES) to encourage people to think about how they plan to stay cool and hydrated.
SES chief of staff Graeme Wynwood said people could take simple steps to protect their health.
“Make sure you are drinking plenty of water tomorrow and keeping cool by avoiding going out in the heat of the day,” Mr Wynwood said.
“One of the most critical things people can do is to consider those who are most vulnerable to the heat and making sure they are coping.
“Identify family, friends and neighbours who are elderly or frail and check on them to make sure they are okay and using their fans and air conditioners.”
