Bushfire

Extreme fire danger prompts total fire bans in South Australia for Saturday January 4th

Total Fire Bans have been declared in several areas in South Australia due to extreme fire danger forecasts. Residents are urged to activate their bushfire survival plans immediately and stay alert for updates.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe fire weather warning for the Mount Lofty Ranges, Murraylands, Upper South East, and Lower South East regions for Saturday, 4 January 2025. In response, the SA Country Fire Service (CFS) has declared Total Fire Bans across these districts, categorising the fire danger as ‘Extreme.’

Residents in these areas are urged to action their Bushfire Survival Plans immediately. The CFS advises constant monitoring of the fire and weather conditions through local radio stations, their website, and the Bureau of Meteorology website. It is critical for those without plans ensuring survival to consider leaving early before a fire starts as this remains the safest option under extreme fire conditions.

Adelaide is set to experience temperatures up to 36°C, with Mount Barker and Elizabeth reaching 37°C and 38°C, respectively. The weather is reported to be hot and dry, with initially fresh and gusty north to northwesterly winds turning to west to southwesterly later in the day.

The Total Fire Ban will be in effect for a full 24-hour period from midnight tonight until midnight on Saturday.

To check out the fill list of what is and isn’t permitted on total fire ban days (think BBQs etc) click here.

What should you do

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

In making your plan, you should be aware that in high fire danger conditions, essential services including mains-fed electricity and water supply may not be available due to the prevailing weather conditions.

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

Stay informed

CFS website cfs.sa.gov.au

Information Hotline 1800 362 361

For hearing or speech impaired users, phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 1800 362 361

For teletype service TTY 133 677 then ask for 1800 362 361

CFS on Facebook or XAlert SA Mobile App

On local ABC radioFIVEaa, or one of the other Emergency Broadcast Partners

For emergencies call Triple Zero (000).

More News

To Top