Smoke adds to heat woes

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Smoke adds to heat woes

Huge tracts of the Limestone Coast were blanketed in thick smoke for much of the weekend, as a heavy haze drifted west from a series of Victorian bushfires.


The smoke from huge fires burning in the Grampians National Park and the Little Desert National Park was blown across the border into SA, before spreading across the state.


The air pollution was the talk of the region on the weekend, as social media lit up with commentary from people complaining about the situation, which caused problems for people with breathing difficulties, while others were upset their washing now smelled like smoke.


The smoke started to blow into the region on Friday night, and by Saturday it had settled heavily, blanketing entire towns.


The situation eased somewhat on Sunday, before building again yesterday as the region sweltered under high temperatures.


CFS volunteers have joined strike teams heading across into Victoria to help battle the large-scale blazes which have burned tens of thousands of hectares.


Heatwave conditions were forecast for the region on the weekend, however Mount Gambier did not reach the predicted highs, with Saturday’s temperature reaching 33.1 and Sunday topping out at 36.3.


South Australia has sent firefighters from Department of Environment and Water and multiple personnel from SA State Emergency Services.


This is in addition to cross-border arrangements where South East CFS personnel and aircraft have been helping with fires near the border.


The South East has provided three strike teams comprising a total of 75 personnel, the first was sent to provide asset protection in Dimboola, and then two strike teams to Goroke.


Meanwhile, local CFS crews were kept busy with two vehicle fires on the Princes Highway.


A blaze gutted a late model sedan on the Princes Highway at Compton on Saturday, with flames also spreading to roadside grass at 12.50pm.


A trailer filled with furniture was also destroyed after catching alight on the at Glenburnie on Friday night.

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