Under the new bushfire warning system, the first 'catastrophic' fire danger alert has been issued today in South Australia.

With temperatures predicted to soar above 40 degrees today, and strong winds on their way, the South Australian Country Fire Service has issued a catastrophic fire alert- the highest alert available.

By issuing the catastrophic fire danger alert, 11 schools and pre schools have been forced to close.

More information is available below.

'Catastrophic' fire danger closes schools- Ben Hyde
news.com.au

PARTS of Australia are on high alert as high temperatures cause 'catastrophic' fire danger.

In South Australia, 11 schools and preschools have been closed because of perceived fire dangers with temperatures expected to soar. 

Victoria is also preparing for tough conditions.

The weather bureau has issued a Catastrophic Fire Danger ratings for South Australia's Northwest Pastoral and Flinders districts.

Maximum temperatures across the state will soar today, to 44C in Roxby Downs and 43C in Port Augusta. Strong winds and low humidity in the north will confound the scorching temperatures. Adelaide's forecast has been revised to 39C today.

South Australian Education Department deputy chief executive officer Jan Andrews said that the closed schools were forced to contact parents or students last night to inform them to seek alternative arrangements.

"We do appreciate that the closure of schools and preschools is an inconvenience to parents, however, the safety of our children, teachers and staff is our top priority," she said.

The schools and preschools closed today are among 140 across the state that the Country Fire Service's audit found to have an extreme, very high or high fire risk.

The catastrophic ratings mark the first time the highest warning has been issued under the new rating system, implemented following the Royal Commission into the Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria earlier this year.

The catastrophic rating predicts that any fire will be uncontrollable, unpredictable and fast moving, with a high likelihood of killing or injuring anyone in its path.

CFS chief officer Euan Ferguson said the next couple of days would pose an extreme fire risk across most the state.

"This is going to be a long fire season," he said.

"We've seen an unprecedented rate of drying (and) we are seeing very heavy crop loads. It's a high risk time."

"Clearly in the long hot summer ahead there will be parts of SA which are likely to have a forecast of catastrophic fire danger so we are calling on every South Australian to share the responsibility and to make sure their bushfire survival plan is in place.

"In many situations we are not going to meet the community expectations for level of detailed info we know the community want

"We are calling on SA with the advent of this hot, windy weather to make sure they have a bushfire survival plan and think very clearly about their triggers when they should relocate to a safer place."

Mr Ferguson said all farmers should check the Harvest Code of Practice and only reap crops when the weather conditions are appropriate.

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