Fire bans as Aussies get set for a pre-Christmas scorcher

December 23, 2012, 8:13 am

Fire bans have been issued across three states as Australians prepare for a pre-Christmas scorcher.

Victoria

Much of country Victoria is facing a total fire ban with the temperature tipped to reach 39oC (102.2oF)

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has declared a total fire ban for the Mallee, North Central, Northern Country, Wimmera and South West districts on Sunday.

No fires can be lit in the open air between 00:01 and 23:59 (AEDT) on Sunday, the CFA says.

"The CFA advises people living in areas at risk of fire to activate their bush fire plan," it said in a statement on Saturday.

The Bureau of Meteorology expects a very hot Sunday statewide, with a gusty cool change set to arrive from the southwest in the afternoon.

Milder weather is on the way for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with possible early showers to give way to maximum temperatures of 26oC (78.8oF) and 22oC (71.6oF) respectively, the BOM says.

Western Australia

A 45oC (113oF) scorcher will see a total fire ban for around 2600 residents on the northern WA coast, while 6000 people in the state's Pilbara region are bracing for severe fire danger.

The Shire of Exmouth, in the coastal region of Gascoyne about 1000km north of Perth, has been placed on a total fire ban on Sunday by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).

All open air fires are banned, and hot work such as metal welding and grinding is not allowed without an exemption. The DFES has warned that those who flout the ban face fines of up $25,000 and/or up to 12 months in jail.

Residents in the inner-Pilbara's Shire of Ashburton face hot, dry, windy conditions that could see a potential bush or grass fire take hold, DFES said, announcing a severe fire warning.

The area faces overnight temperature lows in the mid to high 20oCs (77oF / 84.2oF) before daytime maximums expected in the low to mid 40oCs (104oF / 113oF), with the searing weather tipped to continue until Boxing Day, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

Motorists are being urged to avoid driving near the abandoned town site of Wittenoom, where a fire southwest of the area - despite posing no danger - has seen roads closed in the area due to thick smoke.

Several non-threatening fires are also burning on either side of the North West Coastal Highway in the Shire of Ashburton, causing a potential smoke hazard for motorists, DFES said in a statement.

The department has urged residents in affected areas to have bushfire plans and survival kits on standby, and to tune in to local radio and other media for updates.

"Do not wait for a warning before you act. If you see flames call triple zero," the DFES said.

South Australia

Much of South Australia will be on total fire bans, with soaring temperatures tipped to reach 39oC. (102.2oF)

The Country Fire Service (CFS) has said 13 districts face an extreme or severe risk of fire on Sunday and declared a 24-hour total fire ban from midnight.

The affected districts are Northwest Pastoral, West Coast, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Lower Eyre Peninsula, Flinders, Mid North, Mount Lofty Ranges, Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Riverland, Murraylands, Upper South East and Lower South East.

The CFS is urging the thousands of affected residents to ready their bushfire plans.

"If you don't have a plan to ensure your survival, leaving early before a fire starts is your safest option," it said in a statement.
The Bureau of Meteorology says the searing heat will continue across the state until a late Sunday afternoon change.

http://weather.yahoo.com.au/local-forecast/nsw/toronto/

IMPORTANT : ALL TEMPERATURES ARE IN CELSIUS NOT FAHRENHEIT

so 29.90C is equal to your 85.820F

Humidity is up in the mid 70% reaching the mid 90%