Extreme fire danger weather - January long weekend
23/01/2026
The SA Country Fire Service is urging the community to get prepared and remain alert for an extremely volatile long weekend, with forecasts pointing to the most intense, widespread and prolonged stretch of high-risk fire weather the South Australia has faced in many years.
Maximum temperatures will be above average to well above average across the whole of the long weekend and extending into Tuesday.
The weather, in conjunction with the dry conditions and fuels across the landscape create a significant fire risk in South Australia.
Weather conditions are leading to Catastrophic Fire Danger Ratings for the Eastern Eyre Peninsula and Yorke Peninsula districts and Extreme ratings for the West Coast, Lower Eyre Peninsula, Mid North, Mount Lofty Ranges, Kangaroo Island, Murraylands, Upper South East and Lower South East.
CFS Chief Officer, Brett Loughlin AFSM, said the public should consider their plans for the long weekend and adjust accordingly.
"We urge anyone travelling around the state to know their risk by checking the Fire Danger Ratings in the Fire Ban District they are travelling, identifying their closest Bushfire Safer Places and knowing the local channels to stay informed in case a bushfire starts," Mr Loughlin said.
"In the lead up to tomorrow, take some time to create or update your bushfire survival plan and make sure everyone in your household knows what they will do if a fire starts," he said.
Emergency Services Minister Rhiannon Pearce MP is urging all South Australians to heed the advice of our emergency services.
"We are heading into some of the most dangerous fire conditions we've experienced in years over the coming week. While our firefighters are ready and equipped to protect our communities, we all must do what we can to not put ourselves and our emergency service personnel in danger by keeping abreast of the conditions and acting accordingly."
MFS Chief Officer, Jeff Swan said the MFS "remains fully prepared to support operations, with additional Communications Center staff rostered on to manage increased demand. Further appliances and personnel are on standby to ensure a swift response and community safety."
Fires which start on catastrophic days are extremely dangerous, hard to control and can change quickly. CFS urges all South Australians to monitor conditions throughout the day and follow advice from emergency services.
