Searing heat is part of life in SA’s Outback, Andamooka locals say

Russell ‘Rusty’ Marks says he couldn’t be more used to the hot weather, having been born during a drought in Broken Hill — and it’s good thing too, as South Australia prepares for another day of heat with extreme and severe fire warnings across the state.

Russell Marks, 59, of the opal mining town of Andamooka cools down as temperatures rise above 40 degrees again. PICTURE: Brad Fleet

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Russell ‘Rusty’ Marks says he couldn’t be more used to the hot weather, having been born during a drought in Broken Hill.

“I was six years old before I saw any rain and it scared the s*** out of me,” Mr Marks says.

For the Andamooka resident, 59, Thursday’s forecast 41C maximum was nothing compared to the summer he’s faced already, with locals sweltering in the mid 40s for days on end.

“At 41C, it’s not that bad but I wouldn’t be going and digging any trenches,” the maintenance man says.

“I can handle it but the kids can’t — even walking home from the school bus, they’re sweating.

“Our power bill doubles over summer. Unless you have a job to do, it’s stupid to be outside.”

It comes as South Australia prepares for yet another sweltering day on Saturday with temperatures expected to soar to 41C in Adelaide.

An Extreme Heatwave Warning has been issued by the SES while total fire bans are in place across multiple districts:

West Coast — Severe

Eastern Eyre Peninsula — Severe

Lower Eyre Peninsula — Severe

Mid North — Severe

Mount Lofty Ranges — Extreme

Yorke Peninsula — Severe

Kangaroo Island — Severe

Upper South East — Severe

Lower South East — Extreme

The state’s capital sweltered through its hottest March day in more than 30 years on Friday as the mercury touched 42C at 3.30pm.

The previous record was 41.9C set on March 6, 1986.

In the Mid North a bushfire forced the closure of the Augusta Highway as emergency services battled to bring it under control.

The highway was closed between Snowtown and Redhill as the fire raged on the side of the road.

Waterbombers dropped four loads on the fire to bring it under control.

But for Mr Marks, he is among the Andamooka locals fundraising for a community pool to help residents and tourists cool down.

So far they have raised about $20,000 towards its cost, which is likely to be about $150,000-$200,000.

They hope the Federal Government will also kick in a large portion of the funding required to turn the dream to a reality.

Tuckabox Hotel owner John Smirnios says the pool would be popular with tourists who can camp in the town for a small donation.

“If we had a little kiosk there it would create jobs for people,” Mr Smirnios says.

“It gets up to 49C in the shade here.

“Every Outback community has a town pool except us. I feel sorry for the kids.”