Thick dust whipped up by damaging winds blanketed large parts of South Australia, forcing roads to be closed and power to be cut amid a severe risk of bushfires.
SA Power Networks said the fire danger conditions became so bad on Eyre Peninsula at one stage on Friday, it had decided to cut power to the Port Lincoln region.
"Safety is our priority and with the weather conditions in Port Lincoln today, it was required to temporarily disconnect the power," the company said.
"It is crucial we undertake such work to keep our community safe."
Authorities also moved to close the Augusta Highway at Port Wakefield because of poor visibility and urged motorists across the state to take care.
Images and videos posted on social media showed the thick dust whipped up from parched farming land and scrub as wind gusts hit close to 100 km/h.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for the Eyre and Yorke peninsulas and Kangaroo Island but said the strong winds were impacting a wide area ahead of a cooler change expected to sweep across most of the state by late on Friday.
Ahead of the change, temperatures climbed into the mid-30s in some centres and 32.6C in Adelaide.
The unseasonably hot and dry conditions prompted the Country Fire Service to declare severe bushfire conditions in eight districts, from the west coast to the lower southeast.
The CFS said it had also moved to extend the bushfire season across much of the state.
Chief officer Greg Nettleton said the two-week longer season was a reflection of the continued risk which would remain until there was substantial rainfall.
"We would require rainfall of more than 180mm, combined with milder autumn conditions, before we are likely to see a reduction in the risk in many areas," Mr Nettleton said.
"In many areas, trees and bushland are stressed due to the hot, dry summer."
There were no major fires on Friday, though CFS crews battled a handful of incidents, including one grass fire in the Adelaide Hills which reduced the South Eastern Freeway to just one lane near Hahndorf.
