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SA on high bushfire alert
18/12/2015
People in all regions of South Australia, including the Adelaide metropolitan area, have been urged to be on alert today (note: Saturday 19 Dec) amid risky fire danger conditions.
Country Fire Service State Coordinator Leigh Miller says the combination of sustained high temperatures, predicted lightning strikes and strong winds, has created dangerous fire conditions throughout South Australia.
"We are at the highest level of readiness but even so, there is a very real chance we will have fires burning out of control today," he said.
"It's very important that everyone in SA stays informed of any bushfires in their area by accessing the CFS website and Facebook and Twitter accounts and listening to local ABC Radio on a battery powered radio," he said.
"People should check their bushfire survival plans and prepare their families and properties for the possibility of fire.
"If your plan is to leave early on days of high fire danger in your region, you should do that early this morning and let family and friends know what you intend to do," he said.
"We don't want people to make any rash, last minute decisions. A car is one of the deadliest places to be in a bushfire.
"Cars provide little protection from deadly radiant heat and driving conditions are often difficult and hazardous. Roads may be closed and there could be traffic jams, collisions, fallen trees and embers are all real possibilities.
"If your plan is to stay and defend, you should start preparing your defences and equipment now, such as checking your pump and generator.
"We also want to remind people that in the event of a bushfire, infrastructure such as mobile and landline phone networks, the internet, electricity and mains water may no longer be available."
Mr Miller also urged everyone to comply with the Total Fire Bans which have been declared for the entire State, including the Adelaide metropolitan area.
"These bans have been declared because today it is more important than ever to reduce the chance of bushfires starting, by restricting risky activities such as lighting fires, using solid fuel barbecues and grinders, welders and cutting tools," he said.
Six of the State's fifteen fire ban districts have extreme fire danger ratings – the West Coast, Lower Eyre Peninsula, the Mid North, the Mount Lofty Ranges, Yorke Peninsula and the Lower South East.
Severe fire danger ratings apply to the rest of the State.
For more information, go to cfs.sa.gov.au
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