Red alert: total fire ban as Perth sizzles

A TOTAL fire ban has been issued for Perth and surrounding areas as authorities prepare for Saturdays 44C scorcher.

A TOTAL fire ban has been issued for Perth, Mandurah and the Perth Hills area, as authorities prepare for tomorrow's 44C scorcher.

Fire and health authorities in WA have both been placed on red alert as Perth braces for its hottest day in more than five years.

Temperatures in the city are tipped to soar past 44C, with outlying metropolitan suburbs warned to expect even more intense heat over the weekend.

Perth won't be alone in sweltering under extreme temperatures, with the wheatbelt town of Morawa, about 370km north of Perth, expecting a top of 47C.

With catastrophic fire conditions to stretch from the Pilbara to the south west, bushfire brigades across the state have been told to prepare for the worst.

We're looking for the most ingenious ways WA people are cooling down this weekend.

Send your photos to readerpics@perthnow.com.au or tweet @perthnow #beattheheat

The craziest ideas may be published in The Sunday Times or on perthnow.com.au

Read the latest weather forecast: weather.perthnow.com.au

DFES Deputy commissioner Lloyd Bailey. Source: News Limited

People in these are warned not to light or use any fires in the open air and all open fires for cooking or camping are not alllowed.

Hot work such as metal work, grinding, welding, soldering, gas cutting or similar is also banned unless an exemption is obtained.

DFES warns that inoring the ban could lead to a $25,000 fine or 12 months in jail.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a catastrophic fire danger warning for the inland part of the Greater Geraldton region and several wheatbelt shires, including Morawa and Moora.

An extreme fire danger warning is in place for many coastal shires in the Mid-West and other parts of the state.

Extra water bombers on standby

Earlier today, Deputy Commissioner Lloyd Bailey, from WA's Department of Fire and Emergency Services, said volunteer firefighters have been rostered on all weekend, and extra water bombers have been placed on stand-by.

``We ask people not to just lock themselves up with the air-conditioning, but be cognisant of what is going on around them,'' Deputy Commissioner Bailey said.

The elderly, those with young children and babies and tourists who might not be used to the heat have been particularly warned of the potential effects of the heat.

``Although we are used to the heat, it is very important not to become complacent,'' said Dr Revle Bangor-Jones, Director WA Health's Disaster Management Unit.

``It is very important to keep the hydration levels up, and recognise any signs in the body that you are overheating.

Dr Bangor-Jones said emergency departments around the city were all on stand-by for an influx of heat victims.

Symptoms include dry, red, hot skin, high body temperature, nausea, and rapid heart rate.

St John's Ambulance advised anyone suffering from heat stroke should have cold packs or wrapped ice applied to their neck, groin and armpits, or be covered with a wet sheet while emergency services arrive.

Sunday won't bring much respite, with a revised maximum temperature of 41C, although Monday should bring a cool change.

Perth Zoo has started handing out monster icy poles and other iced treats to animals to help the animals beat the heat. Picture: Perth Zoo Source: Supplied

Perth Zoo has distributed monster icy poles to its animals, with even the otters enjoying icy poles made from whitebait, blue bait, prawns and mussels.

Perth Zoo has started handing out monster icy poles and other iced treats to animals to help the animals beat the heat. Picture: Perth Zoo Source: Supplied

Even fortunate pool and spa owners were being warned to take precautions, with a reminder to ensure water was properly treated so swimmers avoid catching amoebic meningitis, which thrives in water temperatures between 28 and 40 degrees.

The scorching temperatures will arise as a pocket of very hot air, which has subjected the Pilbara to intense heat this week, begins to move south.

Onslow has suffered through two successive days over 40C, with Paraburdoo topping 40C by 9.30am on Friday.

Mike Burgin, regional director from the Bureau of Meteorology, said Saturday was likely to be Perth's hottest day since Boxing Day, 2007.

"And Perth certainly won't be the worst of it. To the north-east of the city we will get temperatures up to 46, 47 degrees,'' he said.

Ascot race meeting first casualty of heat

ASCOT'S race meeting became the first casualty of tomorrow's scorching 44C day as Perth looks for ways to beat the heat.

Perth Racing has put its hot weather contingency plan in place and moved Ascot's scheduled Saturday race meeting to Sunday.

Race times for the Ascot meeting have been revised and entry to the racecourse on Sunday will be free.

The meeting will be broadcast on SKY Racing 1, while Geraldton's race meeting, also on Sunday, will now be shown on SKY Racing 2.

Surf Life Saving WA has warned beachgoers to take extra care. Source: News Limited

Take care on Perth beaches

As the mercury climbs tomorrow, Surf Life Saving WA expects beaches to be packed and is urging people to take extra care.

It has been a busy start to the Surf Life Saving season since patrols began in October, with 696 rescues, 1207 first-aid treatments and an additional 5827 actions taken to prevent incidents.

There have also been four coastal drowning deaths at unpatrolled spots.

Surf Life Saving WA community safety manager Chris Peck said it was crucial that beach-goers swam between the red and yellow flags, and followed the advice of lifesavers.

He said people also needed to be "beach safe'' by supervising children, having aquatic skills, knowing first aid and CPR, and using appropriate safety gear and planning for emergencies.

"It is also vital that in hot conditions beach-goers regularly apply sunscreen, keep hydrated and remember that consumption of alcohol impairs physical responses and decision-making processes, and anyone that has consumed alcohol should not enter the water,'' Mr Peck said.

All major Perth beaches will be patrolled by Surf Life Saving services and Wesfarmers Lifesaver Jet-Ski teams over the weekend, as well as aerial surveillance between Yanchep and Mandurah by the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter.

Sunday won't provide much relief, with an expected top of 39C but the weather shapes up nicely from Monday with expected tops in the low 30 for the first half of the week.

The beach is expected to be a popular place as Perth tries to beat the heat tomorrow.

Back-to-back 48C days for Onslow

IT didn't quite reach 50C yesterday but it's unlikely the good folk of Learmonth and Onslow really noticed the difference as the mercury maxed at over 48C.

The Pilbara's mega heatwave continued yesterday - at Onslow Airport, almost 1400km north of Perth, the temperature reached 48.2C at about 12.30pm.

Learmonth Airport, near Exmouth and about 1250km north of Perth, was fractionally behind, recording a high of 48.1 just before 2.30pm.

The Bureau of Meteorology has been unable to obtain information from Emu Creek, where it was forecast to reach 49C and possibly threaten 50C.

Onslow has roasted through two of its hottest days on record, with temperatures soaring to 48.7C yesterday, closely followed by today's 48.2C.

Today, Learmonth had the highest maximum in the Pilbara, peaking at 46.9C just after 2.30pm, while the mercury reach 45C in Paraburdoo.

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