South Australia is on high alert as weather forecasters warn of extreme fire danger across several regions. Hot, dry winds and soaring temperatures are creating the perfect storm for dangerous fire conditions. Authorities are urging residents to stay alert, avoid risky activities, and make sure their bushfire plans are ready.
A Dangerous Mix: Heat, Wind, and Dry Conditions
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and the Country Fire Service (CFS) have issued a stark warning for Thursday, with temperatures expected to climb into the mid-to-high 30s across Adelaide and even hotter in the north. The Flinders, Eyre Peninsula, Riverland, and Mount Lofty Ranges are among the regions facing the greatest risk. According to BOM Emergency Services Meteorologist Christopher Kent, these conditions are a sharp contrast to the unusually mild November South Australia just experienced.
“It’s been a quiet start to the fire season, but Thursday will be challenging if fires are to ignite,” he said. Kent explained that temperatures will reach 8 to 10 degrees above average for this time of year, and dry northwesterly winds are expected to reach up to 40 kilometres per hour. To make matters worse, there’s also a risk of high-based thunderstorms with dry lightning — a dangerous combination that can spark fires in parched landscapes.
Fire Authorities Sound the Alarm
Brenton Hastie, Deputy State Controller for the CFS, stressed the importance of caution, noting that “fires under these conditions can be problematic for crews.” He urged South Australians to rethink their plans for the day and avoid using machinery, barbecues, or any activity that could accidentally start a fire. “It’s really easy to prevent most fires,” he said to ABC. “We’re just asking people to think about what they’re doing — because even one careless spark can pull volunteers away from their homes for hours.”
The CFS also reminded residents to check and share their bushfire survival plans, particularly with family members who might be home alone. Many of the recent fires, Hastie added, have started on non–total fire ban days, catching communities off guard.
A Cool Change Is Coming — But Not Soon Enough
Relief is expected later on Thursday, with a cool southwesterly change moving across Adelaide and the Mount Lofty Ranges by late afternoon. Cooler conditions should continue into the weekend, but until then, firefighters are bracing for what could be a long, exhausting day. Kent explained that the weather shift will come just in time to ease some of the strain. “Temperatures should drop as the front moves through,” he said, “but the winds leading up to it will make the day particularly volatile.”
This year’s fire season started unusually late, with the first total fire ban not declared until November 24 — the latest in 20 years. That lull, however, appears to be over. The combination of rising temperatures, dry vegetation, and gusty winds is setting the stage for a dangerous few months ahead. As South Australians brace for another long, hot summer, the CFS and BOM are reminding communities that preparation is key. That means having emergency kits ready, staying tuned to official alerts, and avoiding any unnecessary risks.
