Total Fire Bans ahead of conditions
18/11/2019
SA Country Fire Service (CFS) will declare Total Fire Bans throughout the state on Tuesday, November 19.
This comes ahead of forecast of Catastrophic and Extreme fire danger ratings in several parts of South Australia on Wednesday.
CFS Chief Officer Mark Jones said CFS has the ability to declare Total Fire Bans without the usual trigger of a Severe fire danger rating.
"With the high temperatures and strong winds forecast for Wednesday, firefighters will not be able to control a bushfire if it starts," he said.
"Therefore we are putting restrictions on activities on Tuesday to minimise the risk of fires starting tomorrow which may not be fully extinguished by Wednesday."
"A rekindled burn off on Wednesday would create dangerous conditions for our firefighter so we are not prepared to put them, or the community at unnecessary risk."
The community will still be able to undertake some activities on Tuesday, but they will need to apply for a Schedule 10 permit from their local council.
Bureau of Meteorology's A/Supervising Meteorologist, Paul Lainio, said Wednesday is a key day due to potentially record-breaking maximum temperatures, strong and gusty winds combining with very dry conditions, making it a catastrophic fire weather day across parts of South Australia.
"We're looking at temperatures peaking 8-18°C above average for Wednesday ahead of a cold front that's accompanied with strong winds.
"The strong cold front moves from the west of the state in the afternoon and evening, before heading over central and southern parts overnight, then through the far north east during Thursday," said Mr Lainio.
SA Metropolitan Fire Service Chief Officer Michael Morgan said people should know where their Bushfire Safer Place is and have multiple routes to ensure they can travel safely on the road.
"Don't leave it too late, know where you are and have a plan if a bushfire starts, know where you will go and have several routes to ensure you and your family are safe," Mr Morgan said.
"A car is one of the most dangerous places you can be during a bushfire, so don't get caught out."
Do your plan on the CFS website and find out how else you can prepare at www.cfs.sa.gov.au
