There’s a catastrophic bushfire alert for South Australia’s West Coast today as temperatures head for 43 in some parts of the state.

Brenton Eden from the Country Fire Authority warns the outlook for tomorrow is even worse.

He’s told Sky News all possible resources are being deployed during the extreme conditions and there’ll be 10,000 firefighters on the ground as well as 15 aircraft.

He says the weather bureau is predicting some respite on Tuesday when temperatures and wind speeds are forecast to drop.

TOTAL FIRE BANS Media and the public are advised that TOTAL FIRE BANS have been declared for Sunday, 10 January 2010 in the following Fire Ban Districts:

Mount Lofty Ranges- Severe Kangaroo Island- Severe Mid North- Severe Yorke Peninsula- Extreme Murraylands- Severe Upper South East- Severe Lower South East- Severe Flinders- Severe Eastern Eyre Peninsula- Extreme North West Pastoral- Severe Lower Eyre Peninsula- Extreme West Coast- Catastrophic

Where Total Fire Bans have been declared, very hazardous fire weather conditions are predicted.

The Total Fire Ban will apply for 24 hours from midnight tonight to midnight tomorrow.

The CFS recommends that you implement your Bushfire Survival Plan.

FIRE DANGER RATINGS Where fire ban districts have a forecast fire danger rating of Catastrophic, well prepared, well constructed and defended homes may not be safe during a fire. To ensure your survival you should leave tonight or early tomorrow morning.

Where fire ban districts have a forecast fire danger rating of Extreme, only well prepared, well constructed and actively defended houses are likely to offer safety during a fire.

Where fire ban districts have a forecast fire danger rating of Severe, well prepared and actively defended houses can offer safety during a fire

If you don’t have a plan to ensure your survival, leaving early before a fire starts is your safest option.

Landowners are asked to adhere to local harvest codes of practice which are available from your local council. Landowners are also asked to ensure that any burn-off activities conducted today are fully extinguished before midnight tonight.

Agencies are advised to activate their Total Fire Ban procedures in preparation for these predicted fire weather conditions.

For further information contact the Bushfire Information Hotline on 1300 362 361 or visit cfs.sa.gov.au

The CFS advises that the threat to public safety posed by the HYNAM fire near FRANCES RD AND SCHINCKEL RD has reduced.

Although the threat to your safety has reduced, be aware that some risks are still present.

Smoke may still be present, visibility may be reduced and there may be falling trees.

You should check your property for any fires and embers – particularly in roof spaces, under decks, raised floors and in gutters.

You should take care in the fire area over the next few days.

Stay tuned to this radio station on a battery-powered radio for further updates on the fire situation.

For information about bushfires, check the CFS website www.cfs.sa.gov.au http://www.cfs.sa.gov.au or call the Bushfire Information Hotline on 1300 362 361.

Repeating, the CFS advises that the threat posed by the HYNAM fire near FRANCES RD AND SCHINCKEL RD has reduced.
 

– SKY NEWS NEW ZEALAND