Emergency services ready for scorching Australia Day temperatures, alcohol and beach crowds
The nation’s heatwave is set to continue into Australia Day, and emergency services are concerned about several potentially dangerous activities.
Emergency services are bracing for the dangers of excessive drinking on Australia Day as the nation battles a severe heatwave.
Bureau of Meteorology experts have forecast Monday’s elevated fire dangers – and high temperatures in southeastern parts of the country – to continue into Australia Day on Tuesday.
In Sydney, the mercury will rise to the high 30s on Tuesday and will even hit 40C in western Sydney areas such as Campbelltown, Penrith and Richmond.
In Canberra, temperatures will also hover in the 30s.
“Those heatwave conditions will continue into tomorrow on Australia Day … in western Sydney, we are expecting to see temperatures in the low 40 degree mark,” meteorologist Agata Imielska said.
With five drownings in NSW coastal areas in the past seven days, Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steven Pearce said lifeguards were preparing for a massive Australia Day.
He said lifeguards would be patrolling beaches with helicopters and drones in addition to guards on foot.
“It’s a perfect storm; elevated temperatures and a big swell, so we are going to see a lot of people converge on the beach,” he said.
“It’s Australia Day … people are going to be pent up because of COVID-19 (restrictions) and they are going to want to get out and celebrate and socialise.
“Every Australia Day, we see one person drown on average. We are worried people might be so overjoyed that they might partake in too much alcohol consumption.
“But the message is, don’t even contemplate going in the water if you have had a couple beers or a couple chardys. It‘s just not worth it.”
He also urged beachgoers to maintain social distancing.
NSW Ambulance had twice the call-outs on Sunday versus Saturday due to heat-related illnesses. Chief inspector Kay Armstrong urged Australians to avoid excess alcohol on a boiling hot Australia Day.
“Alcohol does not go well with hot weather; if you are drinking (on Australia Day) please make sure you have a high intake of water,” she said.
The NSW Rural Fire Service is already dealing with severe temperatures on Monday afternoon.
“In the southern part of NSW, west of the Great Dividing Range and down to the Victorian border, dry conditions and low humidity means there is a lot of load for fires,” RFS spokesman Greg Allan told NCA NewsWire.
In Melbourne, a handful of the city’s suburbs such as Tullamarine and Watsonia had reached 40C.
NSW is experiencing a #Heatwave, and there is a Fire Weather Warning for the Eastern Riverina, Southern Riverina and Northern Riverina fire areas. Stay cool, and stay on top of all the latest warnings here: https://t.co/yf0DJQVZfr@NSWSES pic.twitter.com/AEPleA7Rc6
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) January 24, 2021
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