With a couple of the hottest days of the year behind us on Sunday and Monday, there’s still no reprieve on radar.
Thanks to some rain, Thursday looks like topping 29 degrees in the Logan area. But every other day will be in the 30s, with the hottest day of the week tomorrow (Wednesday), according to the long range Bureau of Meteorology forecast.
A fire ban for the region is current until at least Wednesday, conditions perfect for bushfires to ignite and spread quickly.
Under a local fire ban, all open fires are prohibited and all permits in the area have been cancelled.
The Climate Council says conditions are dangerous.
And Queensland Ambulance officers have called on people to keep themselves cool.
Acting director Lachlan Parker said the body was able to re-set itself if it became cool overnight. But multiple days of heat could have a devastating effect on people.
He said signs of heat-related illness began with vomiting, fatigue and muscle cramps. The groups highest at risk were children and the elderly.
When people showed signs of confusion, that meant the body was starting to shut down.
“We need to make sure these people are seen to urgently,” he said.
Higher temperatures meant it was potentially fatal to leave children and pets in cars.
Smoke haze was particularly dangerous for people with asthma or other respiratory illness, Mr Parker said.
QAS clinical director Tony Hucker said people should try to wear loose-fitting clothing, drink lots of water, avoid the hottest part of the day outdoors, wear a hat, and to find fans or air conditioning where possible.
He said people should look out for neighbours who were in vulnerable groups.
“Knock on their door and see if they’re okay,” he said.
The Bureau of Meteorology says la nina conditions will continue, meaning higher threat of storms, higher than average rainfall and a higher risk of extreme weather events such as floods and fires.
“There’s a great chance of grass fires in some areas as recent rain and warm weather have led to vigorous vegetation growth,” climate services chief Andrew Watkins said.
