SA on high alert as CFS calls in extra water bombers to deal with bushfire risk
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The Country Fire Service in SA is on its highest level of alert and extra waterbombers are on standby as firefighters prepare for what have been described as the worst fire conditions in the state since the deadly Pinery blaze.
The fire danger risk is rated as catastrophic in the Mount Lofty Ranges and upper and lower south-east districts, and total fire bans are in place across the state.
A combination of extreme heat, strong winds, dry conditions and the size of the fuel load have contributed to the elevated threat, the CFS said, and authorities have urged people to ready their bushfire survival plans.
"We were fortunate last year we didn't have many fires, and we didn't have many extreme fire weather days, so we're asking people who might have forgotten about what [that] means to refresh their memories and be prepared," CFS chief officer Greg Nettleton said.
"There might be some people who normally reside in the metropolitan area who normally would not need to have a bushfire survival plan.
"But there'll be many people who'll still be on holidays on the river and along coastal areas of the state who will need to think about [what to do] if there's a fire that occurs in their area."
Mr Nettleton said the CFS was "relying on the public to do the right thing" when it came to fire safety, including avoiding the use of machinery around grass or bushland.
"The forecast from the bureau indicates there is no lightning expected," he said.
"Any fires that occur in the open are the result of human activity or failure of machinery."
At 8:00am on Saturday the temperature in Adelaide had reached almost 34 degrees Celsius with a predicted top of 41C.
In country South Australia, Port Augusta is predicted to hit 46C, Renmark 45C, Port Pirie 44C and Whyalla 44C.
The CFS and State Government have both said conditions will be the worst since the Pinery fire of late 2015, which claimed two lives.
Crews are continuing to monitor fire grounds at Paskeville, Mintaro and Myponga after blazes were sparked earlier this week, including one that came close to a home.
"Our six regional command centres are fully staffed," CFS state duty commander Nik Stanley said.
"Our groups and brigades — some of them have gone to active standby … our resourcing across all agencies in South Australia is at a heightened level for tomorrow.
"[When] the north-westerlies pick up, we'll see the fire danger indices rise with that and then when the south-westerly change comes through we'll see a spike once again."
The CFS said five additional aircraft would be on standby including two water bombers from NSW, and a Skycrane helicopter in Mount Gambier.
Topics: bushfire, fires, emergency-planning, sa, adelaide-5000, mount-gambier-5290, port-augusta-5700, port-lincoln-5606, port-pirie-5540, renmark-5341
