Bushfire traveller safety
At work or on holidays, stay safe while travelling this bushfire season
Bushfire Information Hotline : 1800 362 361 (TTY 133 677)
Know your risk
Fire Ban Districts
Fire restrictions apply throughout South Australia's Fire Ban Districts during the Fire Danger Season. Knowing which Fire Ban District you are visiting is the first step in finding out which restrictions apply.
Which Fire Ban District are you travelling through?
Fire Danger Ratings
The Fire Danger Rating is an indicator of how dangerous a bushfire could be if it occurs, not the likelihood of it happening. Understand the Fire Danger Rating to assess your level of bushfire risk and decide what actions to take.
Do you know today's rating?
Total Fire Bans
The CFS may declare Total Fire Bans in some Fire Ban Districts or even across the whole state on days when high temperatures, strong winds and low humidity could cause fires to become uncontrollable. Barbecues and camp fires are banned on these days.
Do you know what you can and can't do today?
Do you know today's rating?
To find your District, Rating or if it's a Total Fire Ban:
- Visit cfs.sa.gov.au/firebans
- Call the Bushfire Information Hotline 1800 362 361 (TTY 133 677)
Hearing or speech impaired? Contact us via the National Relay Service – by calling TTY 1300 555 727 or through other contact options available at relayservice.gov.au
Call 000 to report a fire.
Be aware of the Fire Danger Rating and know what to do
Fire Danger Ratings
Catastrophic (Total Fire Ban)
- Leaving high risk bushfire areas the night before or early in the day is your safest option – do not wait and see.
- Avoid forested areas, thick bush and long, dry grass.
Extreme (Total Fire Ban)
- If you are not prepared to the highest level, leaving high risk bushfire areas early in the day is your safest option.
- Be aware of local conditions and get information.
Severe (Total Fire Ban)
- Well prepared homes that are actively defended can provide safety – check your Bushfire Survival Plan.
- If you are not prepared, leaving bushfire risk areas early in the day is your safest option.
- Be aware of local conditions and stay informed.
Very High/High/Low-Moderate
- Check your Bushfire Survival Plan.
- Monitor conditions.
- Leave if necessary.
Stay safe while travelling in South Australia
Bushfires can occur without warning and can quickly impact your travel route or holiday location.
- Know the risk of the area you're travelling in: know the Fire Ban District and the Fire Danger Rating
- Modify or postpone your travel plans when dangerous fire weather is forecast
- Know what you can and can't do on fire danger days
- Stay safe on fire danger days; plan safer activities and know where the nearest Bushfire Safer Place is
- Keep woollen blankets, first aid kit, protective clothing (not synthetic) and sturdy boots, food and plenty of water in your car
- Let family, friends or colleagues know where you will be and when and if your plans change
- Know what to do if there is a bushfire in the area
- Stay alert and informed
On fire danger days
Fires that start on Total Fire Ban days will be more dangerous but many fires start in less than severe conditions.
- If your travel or activities take you into high risk areas, can you postpone your trip, plan a different route, swap to an activity that is safer or not banned on Total Fire Ban days?
- Can a work-related job be done on another day/safer location?
- Do your plans involve activities or tools banned on a Total Fire Ban day?
- Where is your nearest Bushfire Safer Place if a bushfire threatens?
You could be at risk travelling in the country during the bushfire season. Recognise the warning signs, and learn what to do to keep yourself safe.
Bushwalking
Avoid bushwalking on Total Fire Ban days, but if you are caught in a bushfire:
Do not try to outrun the flames.
- Head for a natural fire break, e.g. clearing or rocky outcrop
- Keep away from high ground in the path of the fire
- Cover yourself or shelter behind a solid object (e.g. a rock or solid structure) to protect yourself against radiant heat
Camping and houseboats
If camping, staying in a caravan park or travelling in a houseboat:
- Ask if there is a Bushfire Safer place or safe area nearby
- Sheltering in a brick toilet building or shower block might be an option
- Be careful using generators
- Make sure you are familiar with local restrictions applying to fires and barbecues
- If you are visiting a national park, contact your local parks office or ask the Rangers about the local fire and barbecue regulations. Some parks are closed on fire danger days so you may need to leave your campsite
If you are caught in the path of a bushfire
A car is one of the deadliest places to be in a bushfire.
The only sure way to survive is to be nowhere near the fire.
- If you see smoke, slow down and be aware there could be people, vehicles or animals on the road
- Turn around where safe to do so and drive to the nearest township or Bushfire Safer Place
- Pull over to the side of the road and stop your vehicle in a clear area
- Turn your car headlights on and close windows and outside vents
- Ensure you are not in the path of the fire
- Keep your headlights and hazard lights on and wait until the smoke clears
If you can't escape the path of the fire.
- Stay inside your vehicle – it offers better protection than being in the open
- Park in a clear area, preferably behind a solid structure to block some of the radiant heat
- Face your car towards the fire
- Turn the engine and air-conditioning off
- Tightly close the doors, windows and air vents
- Lie on the floor and shelter under woollen blankets to protect yourself from radiant heat
- Avoid dehydration: drink lots of water
- Heat and smoke from the fire and fumes from the car may make breathing difficult – stay under the blankets and cover your mouth with a P2 mask
- Stay down until the sound of the fire has passed, carefully leave the car (it will be hot)
- Move to a safe area (e.g. land that has already burnt)
Where to go on fire danger days
Leaving a high risk bushfire area early, before a fire starts, is always the safest option for your survival.
We have identified places that can offer relative safety from a bushfire.
Bushfire Safer Places
- Adelaide Metropolitan area, outer suburbs and rural settlements. Use if you need to relocate early.
- Suitable for use during forecast bad fire weather or during bushfire.
- May be subject to sparks, embers and smoke.
Bushfire Last Resort Refuge
- Ovals, buildings in rural areas. Use only if your plan has failed.
- Not suitable for extended use and provides only limited protection during bushfire.
Stay informed
Listen for emergency warnings and alerts
| Area | Station | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | ABC Radio Adelaide | 891 AM |
| Adelaide | Cruise 1323 | 1323 AM |
| Adelaide | FIVEaa | 1395 AM |
| Adelaide | Nova 919 | 91.9 FM |
| Adelaide | Mix 102.3 | 102.3 FM |
| Adelaide | Triple M | 104.7 FM |
| Adelaide | Hit 107 | 107.1 FM |
| Andamooka | ABC Radio North & West | 105.9 FM |
| Ceduna | ABC Radio Eyre Peninsula | 693 AM |
| Ceduna | Flow FM | 106.1 FM |
| Clare/Mid North | ABC Radio North & West | 639 AM |
| Clare/Mid North | ABC Radio Adelaide | 891 AM |
| Clare/Mid North | Flow FM | 107.5 FM |
| Coober Pedy | ABC Radio North & West | 106.1 FM |
| Coober Pedy | Flow FM | 99.7 FM |
| Coonalpyn | Flow FM | 97.7 FM |
| Glendambo | ABC Radio North & West | 106.1 FM |
| Kapunda/Barossa | ABC Radio North & West | 639 AM |
| Kapunda/Barossa | ABC Radio Adelaide | 891 AM |
| Kapunda/Barossa | Flow FM | 99.5 FM |
| Kingscote | ABC Radio Adelaide | 891 AM |
| Kingscote | Flow FM | 95.5 FM |
| Kingston SE | ABC Radio South East | 1161 AM |
| Kingston SE | Flow FM | 107.3 FM |
| Leigh Creek Coalfield | ABC Radio North & West | 99.3 FM |
| Leigh Creek Coalfield | ABC Radio North & West | 103.3 FM |
| Leigh Creek South | ABC Radio North & West | 1602 AM |
| Leigh Creek South | ABC Radio North & West | 103.3 FM |
| Maitland | ABC Radio Adelaide | 891 AM |
| Maitland | ABC Radio North & West | 639 AM |
| Maitland | Flow FM | 90.9 FM |
| Marree | ABC Radio North & West | 105.7 FM |
| Minlaton | ABC Radio Adelaide | 891 AM |
| Minlaton | ABC Radio North & West | 639 AM |
| Minlaton | Flow FM | 98.9 FM |
| Mintabie | ABC Radio North & West | 88.7 FM |
| Mt Barker | ABC Radio Adelaide | 891 AM |
| Mt Barker | Cruise 1323 | 1323 AM |
| Mt Barker | FIVEaa | 1395 AM |
| Mt Barker | Nova 919 | 91.9 FM |
| Mt Barker | Mix 102.3 | 102.3 FM |
| Mt Barker | TripleM | 104.7 FM / 98.3 FM |
| Mt Barker | Hit107 | 107.1 FM / 90.3 FM |
| Mt Gambier | ABC Radio South East | 1476 AM / 1161 AM |
| Mt Gambier | Triple M | 963 AM |
| Mt Gambier | Hit 96.1 | 96.1 FM |
| Murray Bridge | ABC Radio Adelaide | 891 AM |
| Murray Bridge | 5MU | 1125 AM |
| Murray Bridge | Power FM | 98.7 FM |
| Naracoorte | ABC Radio South East | 1161 AM |
| Naracoorte | Hit 96.1 | 96.1 FM |
| Naracoorte | 5SE | 963 AM |
| Padthaway | ABC Radio South East | 1161 AM |
| Padthaway | Flow FM | 100.3 FM |
| Pinnaroo | Flow FM | 96.5 FM |
| Pinnaroo | ABC Radio Riverland | 1062 AM |
| Port Augusta | ABC Radio North and West | 639 AM |
| Port Augusta | 5AU | 1242 AM |
| Port Lincoln | ABC Radio Eyre Peninsula | 1485 AM |
| Port Lincoln | 5CC | 765 AM |
| Port Lincoln | Magic 899 | 89.9 FM |
| Port Pirie | ABC Radio North & West | 639 AM |
| Prominent Hill | Flow FM | 91.3 FM |
| Riverland | 5RM | 801 AM |
| Riverland | ABC Radio Riverland | 1062 AM |
| Riverland | Magic 931 | 93.1 FM |
| Roxby Downs | Flow FM | 97.9 FM |
| Roxby Downs | ABC Radio North & West | 102.7 FM |
| Streaky Bay | ABC Radio Eyre Peninsula | 693 AM / 102.7 FM |
| Streaky Bay | Flow FM | 99.3 FM |
| Victor Harbor | ABC Radio Adelaide | 891 AM |
| Victor Harbor | ABC Radio North & West | 639 AM |
| Victor Harbor | Power FM | 99.7 FM |
| Woomera | ABC Radio North & West | 1584 AM |
| Woomera | Flow FM | 101.7 FM |
| Wudinna | ABC Radio North and West | 639 AM / 693 AM |
| Wudinna | 5CC | 765 AM |
| Wudinna | Flow FM | 106.9 FM |
| Yalata | ABC Radio North & West | 105.9 FM |