Local authorities will be on high alert in coming days as the Limestone Coast gets set to swelter through a severe heatwave.
After mild conditions this week, the temperature is forecast to hit the high 30s before reaching 40°c in Mount Gambier early next week, with similar conditions predicted across most of the region.
Already there have been 63 rural fires in the Upper South East and Lower South East this fire danger season, which commenced on November 1.
During the same time western Victoria has been ravaged by bushfires which have destroyed huge tracts of the Grampians and Little Desert National Park.
A CFS spokesperson said Limestone Coast volunteers will be on alert ahead of the predicted warmer weather and be prepared to respond should they be required as they are throughout the fire danger season.
“Our regional staff will also be on alert and undertake their own preparations, including the opening of the Regional Command Centre if necessary,” he said.
“Total fire bans may be declared in some fire ban districts, such as the Upper South East and the Lower South East, or across the whole state on days when high temperatures, strong winds and low humidity could cause fires to become uncontrollable.
“Fire Danger Ratings are published between 4.30pm and 5pm daily during the fire season.
“These ratings are determined in conjunction with the Bureau of Meteorology.”
It has been a dry start to the year with the January maximum temperature average up by 3.3°C this month, while only 10.6mm of rainfall has fallen this month, which is less than half of the long term average of 27mm for January.
“As predicted, the South Australian summer is progressing with large areas of serious rainfall deficiency continuing in the south of the state,” the CFS spokesperson said.
“There are no strong indications of rainfall over the coming months and any rain is unlikely to reduce the overall rainfall deficiencies.
“This ongoing dryness continues to be of significant concern to the CFS and we urge all South Australians to be alert and prepared so we can avoid revisiting the tragedies of previous fire danger seasons.”
