Australian heatwave puts fire services on edge

Heatwave puts fire services on edge
23dec05

MUCH of Victoria is on bushfire alert today with a total fire ban in force as temperatures soar towards 40 degrees Celsius.

Firefighters in the Grampians, in the west of the state, are maintaining a nervous vigil over a 220h fire that they contained with the help of aerial water bombers.

Department of Sustainability and Environment spokesman Bruce Atherton said the Grampians outbreak was in an area of rough terrain that was difficult to access.

Residents of the nearby towns of Dunkeld, Glenthompson and Willaura last night attended information briefings although currently they were not considered at risk.

Mr Atherton said although potentially hazardous fires in the state's eastern Gippsland region yesterday had also been contained, the situation was being closely monitored.

A total fire ban is in force right across the state, and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) has warned Victorians to be at the ready with their personal emergency fire plans for protecting themselves and their properties.

A CFA spokesman Travis Hearn said the western Wimmera region was at particular risk today, with the Otway Ranges in the state's south, Macedon to Melbourne's north and the Mornington Peninsula to the south also potential bushfire hot spots.

North east Victoria, ravaged by bushfires in 2002/03, is also on alert ready for any outbreak, with increased response levels activated.

Mr Hearn said eight small grass and scrub fires since midnight had all been quickly contained, but the situation remained very "risky".

"It will be extremely high temperatures, with over 40 degrees in some parts of the state, low humidity, wind gusts and a change coming through later in the day," he said.

"We're not sure exactly how much rain will be behind that change and of course storms bring the possibility of lightning, which can cause many fires in a short space of time."

Mr Hearn said the fire ban included solid fuel barbecues and restrictions on the the use of gas and electric barbecues.

Heatwave warnings hit Brisbane
December 05, 2005

BRISBANE residents are being urged to avoid heat stress during the next three days as temperatures are expected to soar to almost 37 degrees.

The Queensland government today issued a heatwave alert for the greater Brisbane area on advice from the weather bureau, which predicted temperatures would reach almost 37 degrees until mid-week.

A Queensland Health spokeswoman said residents should take precautions to avoid heat stress during that time.

"The aged and young children, especially babies and toddlers, are most at risk from heat stress so it's important to take extra care," she said.

Residents should drink plenty of fluids, avoid dehydrating drinks such as coffee and alcohol, cut back on exercise and keep checks on the elderly, she said.

Symptoms of heat stroke include headaches, lethargy and nausea.

More severe symptoms include weakness in the limbs, slurred speech, confusion and seizures.

Heatwave hits building workers

This week's heatwave in south-east Queensland has taken its toll on construction workers, with some employees taken to hospital suffering from heat stroke.

The union representing construction workers is calling on employers to give their staff more frequent breaks and ensure they have regular access to fluids.

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union state secretary, Wally Trohear, says temperatures at building sites this week have reached 55 degrees.

"It is hazardous, it's dangerous, and it's dangerous to health," he said.

"I mean, people can get long-term kidney damage, kidney failure from excessive heat."