Rare second December heatwave puts services under stress as SA heads for driest ever year
South Australia is on track for its driest year on record as a rare second December heatwave grips the state and puts our medical services under stress.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Big song and dance to aid bushfire victims
- How to get the most of your Advertiser digital subscription
Paramedics have treated 575 people for heat-related conditions in less than a fortnight as South Australia swelters through its second heatwave this month.
The unusual December double has prompted authorities to urge vigilance ahead of the peak of the heatwave season arriving next month and February. And one of SA’s top fire chiefs has warned “tourists” visiting the Cudlee Creek fireground should “go to the beach” instead of rubbernecking.
SA Ambulance Service operations manager Chris Howie said paramedics had attended 570 heat-related cases in 11 days and a further five to noon yesterday.
Mr Howie said 266 of those cases resulted in the patient requiring hospital treatment. He said extra paramedics would be rostered during the latest heatwave, which started yesterday.
“We’re encouraging people to look out for the signs and symptoms generally associated with dehydration,” Mr Howie said. “They generally include headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and ultimately potentially collapse.”
State Emergency Service chief officer Chris Beattie said most districts would experience severe or extreme heatwave conditions by tomorrow.
Severe heatwave conditions are forecast in the Mid North, Flinders, Riverland, Northwest Pastoral and Northeast Pastoral districts today.
He said heat-related deaths, injuries and illness were preventible and warned parents and guardians about their responsibilities towards children and animals.
“It’s particularly disappointing that, around the country, emergency services continue to respond to children and pets that have been left in cars,” Mr Beattie said.
“Vehicles should not be used as a de facto babysitter and if you do need to leave the car, even to run a quick errand, then please take the children with you.”
Mr Beattie said SES volunteers would be kept busy over coming days with trees that had fallen because of heat stress.
Total fire bans have been issued today for severe conditions in the Mt Lofty Ranges, Mid North and Yorke Peninsula districts.
Country Fire Service assistant chief officer Brenton Eden said it had received reports of “convoys of tourists” visiting the Cudlee Creek fireground.
“They’re blocking up the roads, they’re infringing on people who are traumatised at this time,” he told FIVEaa.
“They don’t want people out the front taking pictures of what was their house and property. This isn’t a tourist spectacle and if people could go elsewhere, and perhaps go down to the beach, that would help.”
Bureau of Meteorology state manager John Nairn said South Australia was due to record its driest year on record.
He said having two heatwaves in December was “quite unusual”. The bureau has now forecast a maximum of 40C on Monday ahead of a cool change.
“Heatwaves are a January and February phenomena, so we’re actually building into the heatwave season rather than peaking,” he said.
SA Health chief public health officer Dr Nicola Spurrier said it was important for everyone to do their best to stay healthy in the heat.
“There are three messages – stay hydrated, stay out of the heat, keep an eye on vulnerable people in the community,” Dr Spurrier said.
“Water is the best hydration fluid. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. I know it’s nice to have a cup of tea but water is the best hydration fluid.”
– with Gabriel Polychronis