Bushfires in South Australia amid severe heatwave in south-eastern states – “Take shelter inside a solid building. Do not leave or enter this area in a vehicle or on foot. It is too late to leave, and the roads will not be safe.”

Desdemona Despair

5 January 2018 (The Guardian) – Residents of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia are facing a scorcher of a weekend, and have been advised to drink plenty of water, take care in the surf and prepare properties for bushfire risks.

An “extremely dangerous” bushfire was burning out of control in South Australia’s southeast on Saturday afternoon, and residents were warned their lives and properties were at risk.

An emergency warning has been issued for the Sherwood, Brimbago, Lowan Vale, McCallum, and Senior areas near the South Australian-Victorian border.

“If you are in this area you are in danger. There is a risk to your life and property,” the CFS said in a warning just after 2pm on Saturday.

“Take shelter inside a solid building. Do not leave or enter this area in a vehicle or on foot. It is too late to leave and the roads will not be safe.”

The blaze comes amid soaring temperatures and catastrophic fire conditions in the Mt Lofty Ranges, and upper and lower southeast. […]

Most of the state will swelter through temperatures above 40C on Sunday, including Bulahdelah on the mid north coast which is set to reach 45C.

Sydneysiders will avoid the worst of the heat – temperatures are forecast to peak at 38C in the city on Sunday but Penrith could hit 45C.

“A NSW Health study published just last month found extreme heatwaves lead to a more than 10% increase in both deaths and ambulance callouts,” Dr Ben Scalley, director of environmental health at NSW Health, said in a statement on Friday.

“They put a lot of strain on the body and can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.” [more]

Bushfires in South Australia amid severe heatwave in south-eastern states