SA Country Fire Service

Media release

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All SA districts officially in the Fire Danger Season

01/12/2014

The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) Chief Officer Greg Nettleton is urging South Australians to be prepared for bushfires this summer, as the whole of South Australia is now officially in the 2014/15 Fire Danger Season as of today.

The warning coincides with the start of the start of Fire Danger Season in the Adelaide Metropolitan fire ban district, which is the last of the 15 districts to commence.

CFS Chief Officer Greg Nettleton said much of the vegetation is dry and we are seeing conditions now that we would normally experience in February.

"The dangerous combination of hotter and dryer weather conditions and dry vegetation means that South Australia is at greater fire risk," Chief Officer Nettleton said.

"This level of bushfire threat indicates there is a potential for above normal fire conditions, which suggests that fires igniting under current conditions will be very difficult to supress."

The CFS is urging the community to do something rather than nothing to prepare for the summer, keeping in mind the restrictions that apply during the Fire Danger Season.

"We can expect a busy fire season if people in the community ignore warnings and remain complacent about their responsibilities towards bushfires," Mr Nettleton said.

"A lawnmower or grass trimmer are among the simple items people have at home to reduce undergrowth to be better prepared this summer.

"People must remember to abide by the restrictions that exist during the Fire Danger Season and particularly on days where a Total Fire Ban has been declared."

Emergency Services Minister Tony Piccolo said the 13,000 CFS volunteers across the state who put their lives on the line to protect their communities, and along with MFS, DEWNR, SAPOL and ForestrySA are operationally ready for the fire season but they need everyone's cooperation.

"All South Australians should reflect on the valuable service that CFS volunteers provide with our partner agencies, and shoulder the responsibility of preventing bushfires by clearing hazardous fuel on their properties to reduce the risk where possible," Mr Piccolo said.

"We cannot stress enough the importance of being prepared and staying informed. Leaving when the fire front is approaching is too late.

"People need to have a Bushfire Survival Plan now and know exactly what they will do if confronted by a fire."

Stay informed by the warning messages through local radio, the CFS website, social media, the CFS FireApp or the Bushfire Information Hotline on 1300 362 361. For further information on the Fire Danger Season visit the CFS website www.cfs.sa.gov.au.

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Media information
For media enquiries call the CFS Media Line on 08 8115 3531.

Government of South Australia