CEREAL PEST BRINGS FUN

CHRISTMAS came early for the Colless clan yesterday when Kai, 13, Cruz, 10, Beau, 8 and little Lola, 5, revelled in waist-deep cornflake weed that washed up on Palm Beach. It proved a trap for unsuspecting players, however, with one woman having to be rescued from the algae. The bloom of Colpomenia is not unusual for summer, but the size of it is unprecedented.

THE start of summer is set to be a scorcher on the Coast, with parts of the city set to hit 38C by tomorrow.

The mercury is tipped to skyrocket in the city’s north, predicted to reach 37C today, 38C tomorrow and 37C again on Saturday.

The rest of the city will also sweat, with Surfers Paradise hovering around 33C each day, Coolangatta 31C and Nerang to reach 37C tomorrow and Saturday.

The predicted heatwave has prompted health warnings from Queensland Ambulance Service:

“Consider the activity you’re doing. If you work outside you might need to take increased breaks and stay hydrated … if you don’t have to build that retaining wall in the middle of the day, delay it,” said acting executive manager of clinical standards Alex Thompson.

Mr Thompson said extra staff would be rostered on across the southeast, both on the ground and in the communication centres, to deal with the anticipated high demand.

He said residents needed to drink more water, and urged residents to keep an eye on vulnerable neighbours.

“Spark that community

spirit, invite your neighbours over in the middle of the day if they don’t have airconditioning,” he said.

“In the first few days we don’t receive too many calls but on day two, three or four as people start to feel the affects ... so if you are someone who has a medical condition, if you are starting to suffer make sure you seek help from a medical professional and never hesitate to call triple-0.”

Fire activity is expected to ramp up over the next couple of days and into the weekend.

There’s a possibility of a severe fire danger by Friday. Strong winds for the rest of the week and into the weekend are also expected to play havoc with any potential fires.

Picture: GLENN HAMPSON Andrine Toftesund (front) and Charlotte Hjortland of Norway are used to long summer days but not as hot as it was in Miami yesterday. Andrine: “For us to be able to go to the beach, that’s amazing. It’s a luxury we don’t have in Norway.”