Fire Danger Season start for LSE
21/11/2012
CFS Regional Commander John Probert has reminded residents and visitors to South Australia's south east of the importance of staying informed and being prepared for bushfires.
The Fire Danger Season will commence in the Lower South East tomorrow with restrictions to lighting fires outdoors to apply for the duration of the season until 30 April next year.
Mr Probert said grass fuel loads generated by recent spring rainfalls has raised the potential for intense fires during the season.
"The once green and lush grasses are rapidly drying out and this makes grass burn faster and more dangerous," Mr Probert said.
"Significant fires are already occurring in dangerous conditions in the South East as we've seen in the past few days."
The start of the Fire Danger Season also means that the CFS has commenced its operational preparedness with the support of other agencies including SAMFS, DEWNR, Forestry SA and SAPOL, to respond to bushfire emergencies.
"Besides our region we have also had many fires in other parts of South Australia, so we're expecting a busy season this summer with dry conditions and long periods of hot weather," Mr Probert said.
"It is therefore important for people who live, work or travel in the Lower South East fire ban district to acknowledge that bushfire prevention is a shared responsibility and that they actively practice their Bushfires Survival Plan," he said.
The Fire Danger Season places restrictions on some outdoor activities including a requirement for a permit from a local council to allow ignition of some types of fires or for the use of spark-generating equipment such as angle grinders.
Penalties apply for failing to comply with restrictions including a $5,000 maximum fine for reckless behaviour such as discarding a cigarette butt from a vehicle.
The Adelaide Metropolitan, Mount Lofty Ranges and Kangaroo Island Fire Ban Districts will start their Fire Danger Season on 1 December.
For more information on fire restrictions visit the CFS website at www.cfs.sa.gov.au
