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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/27/australia-weather-and-fires-severe-heatwave-forecast-to-worsen-bushfire-conditions
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| Australia weather and fires: statewide code red declared in SA as temperatures soar | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Extreme heat on weekend expected to hit South Australia, Victoria and NSW, increasing risk of bushfires | Extreme heat on weekend expected to hit South Australia, Victoria and NSW, increasing risk of bushfires |
| A statewide code red has been declared in South Australia to provide extra help for homeless people as temperatures soar. | |
| Adelaide is forecast to reach 40C on Friday with the mercury tipped to stay at least in the high 30s until Monday. | |
| Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink said increasing services to the homeless was vital in the extreme heat. | |
| “Keeping vulnerable South Australians safe and well in the extreme heat forecast over the next few days is our priority,” she said. | |
| “During a code red, agencies across Adelaide will extend their daytime operating hours to ensure people sleeping rough are keeping cool and well-hydrated during the extreme heat.” | |
| SA’s looming heatwave is the second so far in December after last week’s run of four days with temperatures in the mid-to-high 40s. | |
| On Friday the hottest spots are expected to be in the state’s north with 45C maximums forecast for Oodnadatta, Oak Valley and Tarcoola. | |
| Difficult bushfire conditions in New South Wales are also set to return over the coming days, with a forecast heatwave across south-eastern Australia and dry winds to re-elevate fire risk. | |
| Two firefighters were killed and as many as 100 houses destroyed when bushfires ripped through NSW on Thursday and Saturday last week. | Two firefighters were killed and as many as 100 houses destroyed when bushfires ripped through NSW on Thursday and Saturday last week. |
| Firefighters have used milder conditions this week to strengthen containment lines and more than 1,400 were working on Boxing Day to slow the spread of fire. | Firefighters have used milder conditions this week to strengthen containment lines and more than 1,400 were working on Boxing Day to slow the spread of fire. |
| But the Bureau of Meteorology on Thursday said a severe heatwave had started building in southern parts of NSW and is likely to persist. | But the Bureau of Meteorology on Thursday said a severe heatwave had started building in southern parts of NSW and is likely to persist. |
| Very high fire danger is forecast for nine NSW regions on Friday, including the ACT, greater Hunter and central and southern ranges. | Very high fire danger is forecast for nine NSW regions on Friday, including the ACT, greater Hunter and central and southern ranges. |
| Highs of 36C are expected in Canberra, while regional centres such as Mudgee, Goulburn, Tamworth, Dubbo and Griffith are set for days above 35C. | Highs of 36C are expected in Canberra, while regional centres such as Mudgee, Goulburn, Tamworth, Dubbo and Griffith are set for days above 35C. |
| “Between Thursday and Saturday we are starting to see severe heatwave conditions in the southern parts of the state, extending over a more significant area of NSW into the weekend and next week”, forecaster Rose Barr said. | |
| “The fire danger will worsen into the new week, with Monday and Tuesday most likely to be the most significant fire weather days.” | “The fire danger will worsen into the new week, with Monday and Tuesday most likely to be the most significant fire weather days.” |
| More than 75 fires were burning across the state on Thursday night, with 30 yet to be contained. RFS spokesman inspector Ben Shepherd said the organisation had worked hard on containment through Christmas. | More than 75 fires were burning across the state on Thursday night, with 30 yet to be contained. RFS spokesman inspector Ben Shepherd said the organisation had worked hard on containment through Christmas. |
| More than 1,700 firefighters were in the field on Christmas Day. | More than 1,700 firefighters were in the field on Christmas Day. |
| “The weather has been for once a little bit more in our favour but it’s still going to be a potentially difficult day come next week once we start to see that bad fire danger set in,” Shepherd told AAP on Thursday. | “The weather has been for once a little bit more in our favour but it’s still going to be a potentially difficult day come next week once we start to see that bad fire danger set in,” Shepherd told AAP on Thursday. |
| Fire and Rescue NSW commissioner Paul Baxter on Thursday thanked firefighters who worked through Christmas, noting their commitment, dedication, professionalism and selflessness. | Fire and Rescue NSW commissioner Paul Baxter on Thursday thanked firefighters who worked through Christmas, noting their commitment, dedication, professionalism and selflessness. |
| Meanwhile, a heatwave will reach Victoria on Friday that will bring temperatures over 40C across the whole state during the weekend. | Meanwhile, a heatwave will reach Victoria on Friday that will bring temperatures over 40C across the whole state during the weekend. |
| As the weather starts heating up before it drops again on New Year’s Eve, emergency services have urged Victorians to be extremely aware of weather conditions. | As the weather starts heating up before it drops again on New Year’s Eve, emergency services have urged Victorians to be extremely aware of weather conditions. |
| Statewide heat alerts will be in place on Saturday and Sunday. Melbourne is forecast to reach 43C in some suburbs on Monday. | Statewide heat alerts will be in place on Saturday and Sunday. Melbourne is forecast to reach 43C in some suburbs on Monday. |
| New fires have also been deemed as likely to start as a result of dry lightning, particularly in the east of the state. | New fires have also been deemed as likely to start as a result of dry lightning, particularly in the east of the state. |
| Authorities urged people to be aware of potentially dangerous fire conditions, particularly in East Gippsland. | Authorities urged people to be aware of potentially dangerous fire conditions, particularly in East Gippsland. |
| Plans to walk, hike, cycle or or drive in remote parks and forests were discouraged, as new fires can quickly threaten lives. | Plans to walk, hike, cycle or or drive in remote parks and forests were discouraged, as new fires can quickly threaten lives. |
| Significant fires burning may impact communities from the Great Dividing Range to the coast between Bairnsdale and Marlo. | Significant fires burning may impact communities from the Great Dividing Range to the coast between Bairnsdale and Marlo. |
| The fires in East Gippsland have been burning since 21 November, burning more than 100,000 hectares while travelling more than 1,000km. | The fires in East Gippsland have been burning since 21 November, burning more than 100,000 hectares while travelling more than 1,000km. |
| Smoke from fires burning in Gippsland and NSW is currently affecting air quality in the north-east of Victoria. | Smoke from fires burning in Gippsland and NSW is currently affecting air quality in the north-east of Victoria. |
| In South Australia, the warning level for the Adelaide Hills bushfire has been downgraded to an advice message but the Country Fire Service remains wary of deteriorating weather conditions in coming days. | In South Australia, the warning level for the Adelaide Hills bushfire has been downgraded to an advice message but the Country Fire Service remains wary of deteriorating weather conditions in coming days. |
| As temperatures on Friday head towards 40C, winds will start to increase, raising fears of flare-ups within the fire ground. | |
| So far the blaze has torched 25,000 hectares and has destroyed 84 homes along with about 500 other buildings. | So far the blaze has torched 25,000 hectares and has destroyed 84 homes along with about 500 other buildings. |
| CFS crews remain in the area and are continuing to contain fire activity in various locations. | CFS crews remain in the area and are continuing to contain fire activity in various locations. |
| Thermal imaging equipment is being used to identify hot spots so that crews can strategically target areas of concern, particularly on the western perimeter ahead of forecast wind changes. | Thermal imaging equipment is being used to identify hot spots so that crews can strategically target areas of concern, particularly on the western perimeter ahead of forecast wind changes. |
| Total fire ban conditions are forecast for Friday and Saturday when conditions will be both hot and windy. | Total fire ban conditions are forecast for Friday and Saturday when conditions will be both hot and windy. |
| Temperatures will remain high until at least Monday, ahead of a cool change that will bring wind gusts up to 50km/h along with lightning. | Temperatures will remain high until at least Monday, ahead of a cool change that will bring wind gusts up to 50km/h along with lightning. |
| The CFS said the deteriorating weather conditions would increase the chances of outbreaks and urged all local residents to remain vigilant. | The CFS said the deteriorating weather conditions would increase the chances of outbreaks and urged all local residents to remain vigilant. |