Severe wind warnings join fire bans announced for parts of the state over Christmas and Boxing Day

Severe wind warnings are in place and with fire bans in place over the state, it could spell the end for some favourite pastimes. See if your suburb has been affected.

Speaking from the CFS state headquarters on Tuesday, Premier Peter Malinauskas asked South Australians to act sensibly given the risky weather conditions. Picture: Leon Georgiou

A severe wind warning has been issued by the weather bureau as Christmas Day warms up, increasing concerns for the possibilities of fires across the state.

Adelaide is expected to reach a top of 37C on Wednesday, making it the hottest Christmas Day since 2016 and in stark contrast to last year, which had a maximum of 20C.

Across the state most centres are expecting temperatures in the high 30s and nudging 40C for parts of the state’s south.

But on Wednesday morning, the Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe wind warning across the far west coast for Christmas Day.

There is a further gale force or strong wind warning in place across the Adelaide Metropolitan Waters, Far West Coast, Upper West Coast, Lower West Coast, Central Coast, South Central Coast, Spencer Gulf, Gulf St Vincent, Investigator Strait and Upper South East Coast on Boxing Day.

⚠️A Severe Weather Warning has been issued for parts of Riverland, Murraylands, Upper South East, Lower South East & North East Pastoral districts.

Damaging wind gusts possible with the passage of a cold front Thursday (26/12) afternoon over eastern SA.https://t.co/cNCFXL5x6wpic.twitter.com/EPOwRYTDPO

— Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia (@BOM_SA) December 25, 2024

Fire bans placed across Mount Lofty Ranges and the West Coast District of the state ahead of high temperatures on Christmas and Boxing Day. Picture: File

A total fire ban has been announced across the Mount Lofty Ranges and the West Coast District of the state – beginning at midnight and throughout Christmas Day.

Affected suburbs include Adelaide Hills, Alexandria, Barossa, Burnside, Campbelltown, Gawler, Mitcham, Mount Barker, Onkaparinga, Playford, Salisbury, Tea Tree Gully, Victor Harbor, and Yankalilla.

Residents in these suburbs are not permitted to light a fire without a permit, have a burn-off on their property or burn rubbish or grass clippings.

According to CFS, residents are also not permitted to have a fire in a forest reserve, a fire in a National Park Reserve, use a solid fuel (wood/charcoal) kettle barbecue, use a pizza oven.

As well as, use an angle grinder, welder, metal cutting tool or any other tool that produces a spark outside, have a campfire, bonfire or light a fire for cooking, warmth or comfort, firework.

CFS Chief Officer Brett Loughlin said the conditions – together with the “dynamic fire behaviour” observed during Monday’s Onkaparinga Hills blaze – had factored into the decision.

CFS Chief Officer Brett Loughlin said the decision to impose fire bans was not taken lightly. Picture: Kelly Barnes

“I know that this will have an impact on some people’s plans for how they plan to do their cooking and the activities they might otherwise hope to have enjoyed with family and friends,” he said.

“This is not something that we do lightly.”

Emergency Services Meteorologist at the BOM, Jonathan Fischer, said a strong cool change was expected to sweep across the state on Thursday, bringing with it some reduced fire conditions.

However, strong winds, especially along the eastern parts of the state, meant total fire bans would be in place along the Upper South East, Murraylands, Riverland and Mid North on Boxing Day.

Mr Loughlin warned residents in the affected areas to take the risk seriously, urging people to avoid high risk activities.

“If you’ve got new power tools for Christmas, then Boxing Day is not the day to be outside trying them out,” he said.

“If you’ve got other activities that you think could eventuate in the accidental ignition of fire, we’re asking you to avoid them and to postpone them.”

Speaking at the CFS state headquarters on Tuesday, Premier Peter Malinauskas thanked emergency service staff and asked South Australians to act sensibly given the risky weather conditions.

“At the very time that a lot of people around our state will be relaxing, there will be others on high alert desperately hoping that their pager or beeper doesn’t go off, to respond to a fire that’s been caused unnecessarily,” he said.

“So for South Australians over the course of this holiday, of course enjoy the festive spirit, but if you’re in a bushfire risk zone, act sensibly and cautiously, and we can save a whole lot of discomfort for everybody – particularly for the men and women who fight fires in the community.”

For all updates to fire bans in place over the holiday period, head to www.cfs.sa.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/restrictions/fire-danger-season-dates-permits.jsp

Originally published as Severe wind warnings join fire bans announced for parts of the state over Christmas and Boxing Day