Extreme and severe fire weather warnings in multiple SA regions as temperature to soar above 40C

An extreme fire weather warning has been issued for the Mount Lofty Ranges today, as well as numerous severe danger ratings as the mercury soars to 40C.

An extreme fire danger rating has been issued for the Mt Lofty Ranges, and severe ratings for six other regions today as the mercury soars to 40C.

The severe ratings are for the West Coast, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Lower Eyre Peninsula, Mid North, Yorke Peninsula and Lower South East.

Reminder: TOTAL FIRE BANS declared for Friday 27 November 2020 in the following Fire Ban Districts:
West Coast - Severe
Eastern Eyre Peninsula - Severe
Lower Eyre Peninsula - Severe
Mid North - Severe
Mt Lofty Ranges - Extreme
Yorke Peninsula - Severe
Lower South East - Severe pic.twitter.com/xw2VyLrkCB

— Country Fire Service (@CFSAlerts) November 26, 2020

⚠️A Fire Weather Warning has been issued for Friday for 7 districts, including the Mount Lofty Ranges where the fire danger rating is Extreme. Very hot & dry conditions again on Saturday with further elevated fire danger. Stay up to date via @CFSAlerts and https://t.co/eE0T2ns9bg pic.twitter.com/rXso4FyHSA

— Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia (@BOM_SA) November 26, 2020

Adelaide is forecast to hit 40C today, with other regions getting much hotter including Tarcoola, Ceduna and the Nullarbor reaching 45C.

High fire risk will continue on Saturday with severe ratings issued for the North West Pastoral district, the North East Pastoral district, the Eastern EP, the Yorke Peninsula the Riverland and the Murraylands. Extreme fire danger ratings are also in place for Flinders and the Mid North on Saturday.

Forecaster from the Bureau of Meteorology Hilary Wilson said a combination of heat and wind will bring fire danger to the state today.

North to north westerly winds of speeds around 35km/h today will change to the west prompting the extreme warning in the Mt Lofty Ranges.

“It’s enough combined with the temperatures to bring an extreme fire danger rating.

She said strong winds on Saturday also bring a fire danger risk.

“The winds tomorrow will be a it stronger because we’ve go that change coming through

“That’s what is contributing to those severe fire danger ratings tomorrow.”

A spokeswoman from the Country Fire Service said volunteers will be on active standby today and Saturday and regional command centres activated.

The spokeswoman said their biggest concern is the heat for firefighters battling blazes.

“It’s so hot that it will make it difficult for firefighters to fight fires,” she said.

She said temperatures remaining high overnight will offer little relief to fires that spark overnight.

“Any fires that kick off tonight will be hard to keep up with.”

Sea breezes will offer some cool air on the coast on Saturday but it will remain hot and dangerous fire conditions in the north of the state.

Temperatures will ease on Sunday, set to reach a top of 24C in Adelaide.

“Pretty much right across the state we’ll see cooler temperatures on Sunday with the exception of the Far North,” Ms Wilson said.

The heat has Surf Life Saving SA bracing for a busy weekend, especially as lifting COVID restrictions send people flocking to the coast.

Firefighters are on high alert. Picture: File

SA surf life savers Jess Welch with Henry Jenkin and Ryan Searle are ready for a hot, busy weekend. Picture Sarah Reed

Of particular concern is school leavers, with many Year 12s expected to celebrate a weekend later than planned, prompting warnings of the dangers of mixing alcohol and the sea.

SLSSA president John Baker is urging beachgoers – including the many young people who would otherwise be participating in community sport – to abide by beach safety messaging.

“We know South Australians will be looking to head to the beach as a way to cool off from what is an uncertain time for our state,” Mr Baker said. “We all need to remember the core beach safety messages of swimming between the flags, stop, look and plan, and know your limits.”

Surf lifesavers who have just finished Year 12 are also urging their fellow school leavers to take care at the beach.

“If you are out partying and have had a few drinks, during the day or at night, please do not get in the water anywhere,” said Jacob Semmens, who has just finished at Immanuel College.

Showers are expected on Monday and Tuesday next week, as the temperature reaches 31C and 26C respectively.

See beachsafe.org.au for a full list of patrolled beaches.