The Gold Coast is set to swelter through what could potentially be the hottest October day the City has seen in 30 years.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the temperature is set to reach 37C on the Gold Coast today, although inland suburbs like Nerang and Coomera could be even hotter.
The stifling heat has prompted authorities to issue a 24-hour fire ban for residents across all of South East Queensland, with fears dangerous conditions could spark bushfires.
The ban will be in place from 1am on Monday 27 October until midnight for residents in the Scenic Rim, Somerset, Ipswich, Logan, Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Brisbane, Redland City, and Gold Coast Local Government Areas.
“Current fire conditions are perfect for bushfires to ignite and spread quickly,” the Queensland Fire Department.
“Under a local fire ban all open fires are prohibited and all Permits to Light Fire which have been issued in the designated areas have been suspended for the duration of the ban”.
The alert said power tools may be used during the ban, however people are encouraged to use them with “extreme care and ensure adequate equipment is available to extinguish any fire which may start”.
“This may include having a person available to watch out for any ignitions that occur”.
While it is expected to remain quite dry today, there is the chance a severe thunderstorm could develop later this evening.
“Hot and dry conditions, combined with fresh to locally strong and gusty westerly winds will result in extreme fire danger over the Southeast Coast fire weather districts on Monday,” The Bureau of Meteorology said.
“The chance of a thunderstorm during the afternoon and evening. A milder, humid, gusty south to southeast wind change is expected in the evening.”
The fire danger rating for the Gold Coast today has been listed as extreme.
