SA Country Fire Service

Media release

<Message Starts>

FIRE DANGER SEASON IN ALL FIRE BAN DISTRICTS

30/11/2013

CFS State Coordinator Mark Thomason is warning South Australians to be prepared for bushfires this summer.

The warning coincides with the start of the start of Fire Danger Season tomorrow (Sunday, 1 December) for the remaining three of South Australia's 15 Fire Ban Districts - Adelaide Metropolitan, Mount Lofty Ranges and Kangaroo Island.

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

In recent weeks CFS firefighters have been busy attending grass and crop fires in various parts of the state.

"We've had earlier winter rains resulting in plenty of undergrowth in wide areas of the state which means there's fuel likely to be burn as the weather heats up during the summer," he said.

The CFS has declared Total Fire Bans in the North West Pastoral, West Coast and Eastern Eyre Peninsula Fire Ban Districts for today.

CFS State Coordinator Thomason says due to the forecast fire weather conditions it is likely there will be additional Total Fire Bans tomorrow.

"Firefighters across South Australia along with MFS, DEWNR, ForestrySA and SAPOL are operationally ready for the fire season but they need everyone's cooperation," Mr Thomason said.

"All South Australians need to understand their bushfire risk in relation to where they live or where they are travelling to, be aware of dry grass and bush, understand the options in the event of a bushfire and most importantly, know what to do.

"I encourage everyone to stay informed by seeking the various sources of bushfire information, including warning messages through local radio, the CFS website, social media and apps or the Bushfire Information Hotline number 1300 362 361".

The CFS website at www.cfs.sa.gov.au has a Household Bushfire Self-Assessment tool that helps calculate the minimum defendable space distance to a property, in addition to information about Fire Danger Season restrictions.


<Message Ends>

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

Government of South Australia