SA Country Fire Service

Media release

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Total Fire Bans declared in 10 fire ban districts

15/10/2013

The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) has declared Total Fire Bans in ten Fire Ban Districts, effective from midnight tonight.

Total Fire Bans have been declared in the interest of public safety after reviewing forecast weather conditions which indicate there will be strong winds, with a change not expected until the late afternoon.

CFS State Coordinator Leigh Miller said wind conditions were a key consideration when determining fire danger for our state.

"Fire travels fast due to wind, and when we have strong winds forecast we don't want people lighting fires in these conditions."

Mr Miller also said people shouldn't be deceived by the green foliage evident in areas of our state as the fire risk is very real, particularly for areas of bushland.

"People should be mindful of the recent events that have occurred in New South Wales where communities there have suffered loss of property due to bushfire," Mr Miller said.

"This devastation has occurred despite fuel loads not being fully dried out, which demonstrates that bushfires can occur in conditions where fuel loads are not completely cured.

"While there is green vegetation present there are also bushland fuels that are significantly dry, which pose a fire risk."

The public is reminded that all fires ignited within Fire Ban Districts where a Total Fire Ban has been declared must be extinguished by midnight tonight.

"If people want to continue burning in areas where the CFS has declared a Total Fire Ban, the appropriate permits must be obtained from your local council," Mr Miller said.

"Also, we are asking people to monitor any areas that have been burnt, in case of a re-ignition."

Now is the time that people should be preparing and rehearsing their Bushfire Survival Plan, ahead of the upcoming Fire Danger Season.

For more information on what you can and can't do when a Total Fire Ban has been declared in your district or how to prepare a Bushfire Survival Plan visit the CFS website on 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