THE Limestone Coast will face catastrophic fire conditions today as the community prepares to swelter with temperatures expected to soar into the mid 40s right across the region.
Mount Gambier is expected to reach a top of 45C with the extreme heat and strong winds triggering the closure of the Valley Lakes precinct.
December records are set to tumble in Coonawarra, with the weather station predicting a top of 46C, surpassing the previous record of 42C recorded in 1980.
Keith is bracing for the worst conditions in the Lower South East area, where temperatures could reach 47C.
The weather conditions have triggered a warning from the Country Fire Service (CFS) urging the community to be prepared.
“There is an increased concern in the Lower South East given the dryness of the soil in forest areas,” a spokesperson said.
“We are also expecting increased winds in the area due to the proximity to the coastline.”
South Australia is expecting a cool change in the evening, which the CFS said presented its own dangers.
“That change brings dry lightning, which is a major concern – it is actually one of our biggest fears as a fire service,” a spokesperson said.
“Total fire bans were in place yesterday as a precaution for today’s conditions.”
All vacation care, long day care, rural care and childcare services on Education Department sites in the Lower South East will also be closed tomorrow.
The precautions follow a serious bushfire in Coonalpyn on Wednesday afternoon, which burned more than 290 hectares and threatened several assets.
It started after a pergola at a house caught alight, causing a powerline to fall on a fence.
A total of 35 CFS trucks from Region 3 attended the blaze, which required 12 drops from fire bombers.
“The fire was scaled back to an advice message at around 7pm and crews stayed on the scene to mop up and monitor overnight,” a CFS spokesperson said.
A watch and act warning was issued in the Cannawigara district near Bordertown at press time yesterday as a bushfire threatened the area.
The stubble fire was burning uncontrolled with residents advised to activate their bushfire emergency protocol.
