AUSTRALIA 
Fire bans amid heatwave across four states
Friday, 14 March, 2008
Fire bans are in force across parts of four states as heatwave conditions continue across South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and southern New South Wales.
Soaring temperatures and high winds will cause major concern for firefighters north and south of Adelaide today as two bushfires continue to burn.
The Country Fire Service says they've contained a major fire at Willunga south of the city, which destroyed one home yesterday, and a fire at Williamstown is also under control.
But spokesman Euan Ferguson told ABC radio predictions of 40-degree heat and strong northerly winds today mean the fires could break through control lines, particularly at Willunga.
At Williamstown, north of Adelaide, a fire that started two days ago remained under control with about 150 fire-fighters keeping watch overnight.
They'll continue to mop up today while water bombing aircraft remain on standby for both regions.
Nine firefighters were injured yesterday .. suffering smoke
inhalation and minor burns .. with two admitted to hospital.
Record heatwave
Still in the grip of drought Adelaide yesterday surpassed the capital city heatwave record of 10 days above 35 degrees recorded in Perth in February 1988.
And the city's forecast to remain on the boil until at least next Wednesday.
Last night the city also had its hottest March night on record with the temperature not dipping below 30 degrees.
Source: AAp
Soaring temperatures and high winds will cause major concern for firefighters north and south of Adelaide today as two bushfires continue to burn.
The Country Fire Service says they've contained a major fire at Willunga south of the city, which destroyed one home yesterday, and a fire at Williamstown is also under control.
But spokesman Euan Ferguson told ABC radio predictions of 40-degree heat and strong northerly winds today mean the fires could break through control lines, particularly at Willunga.
At Williamstown, north of Adelaide, a fire that started two days ago remained under control with about 150 fire-fighters keeping watch overnight.
They'll continue to mop up today while water bombing aircraft remain on standby for both regions.
Nine firefighters were injured yesterday .. suffering smoke
inhalation and minor burns .. with two admitted to hospital.
Record heatwave
Still in the grip of drought Adelaide yesterday surpassed the capital city heatwave record of 10 days above 35 degrees recorded in Perth in February 1988.
And the city's forecast to remain on the boil until at least next Wednesday.
Last night the city also had its hottest March night on record with the temperature not dipping below 30 degrees.
Source: AAp
