The Country Fire Service issued the extreme fire danger rating shortly before 5pm on Monday, with the fire ban restrictions applying in the Eastern Eyre Peninsula District until midnight tonight.

The district takes in the City of Whyalla along with other smaller towns including Cleve, Franklin Harbour and Kimba.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting “fresh to strong and gusty north to northeasterly winds will combine with a hot and dry airmass across central parts on Tuesday”.

Whyalla is forecast for a top of 31 degrees today.

The CFS is recommending residents in the district to implement their bushfire survival plan.

“Where fire ban districts have a forecast fire danger rating of Extreme, only well prepared, well constructed and actively defended houses are likely to offer safety during a fire,” the CFS said in its warning on Monday.

“If you don’t have a plan to ensure your survival, leaving early before a fire starts is your safest option.

“Agencies are advised to activate their Total Fire Ban procedures in preparation for these predicted fire weather conditions.”

The neighbouring North East and North West Pastoral Districts, along with the West Coast, are at high fire danger ratings today.

The Eastern Eyre Peninsula officially entered fire danger season on November 1, running through to April 15 next year.

Fire danger season for the Adelaide Metropolitan area will commence on December 1 and finish slightly later on April 30, 2023.

The Country Fire Service is warning against complacency this fire season after the wet spring weather, saying the persistent rains have led to “exponential” vegetation growth – providing more fuel to burn.