SA: South Australia on alert as bushfire risk soars

AAP General News (Australia)
02-13-2004
SA: South Australia on alert as bushfire risk soars

South Australia faces a day of severe fire danger tomorrow.

And there are fears that conditions will mirror those which sparked the Ash Wednesday
bushfires in 1983.

Temperatures are tipped to reach 43 degrees in various parts of the state -- including
Adelaide -- with strong winds and possible lightning strikes forecast.

The severe conditions have prompted a special meeting of SA's Emergency Management
Council to ensure all emergency services are on full alert.

The New South Wales Rural Fire Service has sent an aircrane and firefighters to help
South Australia, if needed.

South Australia's Country Fire Service chief EUAN FERGUSON says the service is as ready
as it can be.

But he admits that if a major fire takes hold under the forecast conditions, there'll
be little firefighters can do.





In 1983, 27 people died in South Australia as bushfires swept through the Adelaide
Hills and the south-east of the state, with 43 degree heat and winds gusting up to 100
kilometres an hour.

AAP RTV tjd/rcg/rt

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES SA (ADELAIDE)

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