CFS issues bushfire weather warnings as SES braces for flash floods, schools closed, blackout warnings issues

The CFS says people should prepare for the worst fire conditions in years, schools in five regions rated as “catastrophic” are being closed – and there’s also a risk of flooding.

More than 30 schools across regional areas will be closed today due to catastrophic bushfire warnings, as the state braces for a wild weekend of weather.

The Bureau of Meteorology and emergency services have warned conditions today make for the “most significant fire weather risk that South Australia has faced in recent years”.

Adelaide is facing a top of 36C and a possible storm, before a dramatic drop in temperature to 19C on Saturday with “possible heavy falls”.

The severe weather has led to the cancellation of a number of Christmas events scheduled for the weekend.

SES on high alert

Catastrophic bushfire conditions are predicted for the Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Flinders, Mid North, Yorke Peninsula and the Riverland on Friday.

The warning level is extreme for the Mounty Lofty Ranges, Murraylands, Upper South East, North East Pastoral and West Coast. The CFS has issued total fire bans.

The “hot to very hot” weather conditions will come with winds gusts of up to 90km/h and an increased risk of dry and gusty thunderstorm activity with dry lightning across the state.

SA Power Networks has warned widespread blackouts could result and 34 schools will close across the Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Flinders, Yorke Peninsula, Mid North and Riverland regions.

SAPN spokesman Paul Roberts warned: “Particularly in regional areas, we’re recommending to customers to be prepared for extended outages. We’re putting all our resources into this.

MFS fire crew fighting a fire. Picture Campbell Brodie.

“We are mobilising a range of additional resources to assist local crews in responding to the conditions.”

National parks and reserves in the Mid North, Flinders, Yorke Peninsula, Riverland and Eastern Eyre Peninsula regions will closed today due to fire risk.

CFS Chief Officer Brett Loughlin said it was “the worst-case scenario for bushfire activity,” with firefighters being placed on high alert.

“Although many parts of South Australia have experienced wet weather recently, the hot temperatures, strong winds and fuel loads across the state, paired with significant risk of dry lightning, will mean communities may face threats from fast-moving, intense grass fires,” Mr Loughlin said.

“A catastrophic fire danger rating is the most dangerous conditions for a fire and if one starts and takes hold, lives could be lost, so the safest place to be is away from high-risk bushfire areas.”

Bureau of Meteorology emergency services meteorologist Hannah Marsh said temperatures of about 46C would hit Port Pirie and Renmark on Friday.

The hot weather is expected to give way to heavy rain and storms by Saturday morning.

Some agricultural and other districts could receive between 30mm and 80mm.

There could even be isolated falls of 80mm to 120mm.

More heavy rain is set to lash Adelaide on Sunday, with possible rainfall of 40-60mm.

The SES said will provide sandbags at 36 locations across the state.