South Australians urged to know their bushfire risk and act now
28/10/2021
South Australians are being reminded that the time to prepare their families and properties is now, as the CFS launches its 'Be Bushfire Ready' advertising campaign for the 2021-22 fire season.
This year's campaign, launched today by Fire Chiefs and the Minister for Emergency Services Vincent Tarzia, takes both an emotive and tactical approach to help encourage South Australians to know their bushfire risk and take action.
The campaign also has an added focus on Bushfire Safer Places following recent research which showed that nearly half of those living in bushfire prone areas don't understand their meaning.
CFS Chief Officer Mark Jones said it's important that South Australians have a Bushfire Survival Plan, or if they don't have one, that they prepare it now.
"South Australians who work, travel or live in an area where bushfires can occur - including those on the urban-fringe - should familiarise themselves on where they can re-locate to if threatened by fire," Mr Jones said.
"Getting to know your closest Bushfire Safer Place - whether it be in the Adelaide Metropolitan area, outer suburbs, or rural settlements - can provide a place of relative safety if you leave early.
"The message we want to get out to the community is that they need to prepare now, have a conversation with your family and ensure if you're threatened by fire, you know where and when you'll go, and what you'll take.
"The CFS is ready and prepared to respond should any incidents occur, but we need the community to play their part. Our volunteers cannot be everywhere."
The Fire Danger Season will commence in Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Flinders, North East Pastoral, North West Pastoral, West Coast and Yorke Peninsula districts across the state tomorrow (1 November). The Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Metropolitan and Kangaroo Island will be the last fire ban districts to commence on 1 December.
Minister for Emergency Services Vincent Tarzia said this year's campaign is re-enforcing important messaging to ensure the community are informed, educated, and prepared.
"This year's campaign features a combination of previous messaging including the powerful and emotional advertisement 'Fire, Fire, go away', which aims to get people thinking about what they're willing to lose, to ensure they plan accordingly," Minister Tarzia said.
"As South Australians, we unfortunately know the real-life impacts that bushfires can have on our communities and livelihoods.
"It's important to check weather forecasts, know your Fire Danger Ratings and what you can and can't do on days of Total Fire Ban."
SA Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) Deputy Chief Officer Paul Fletcher said bushfire risk is not limited to remote parts of South Australia.
"All South Australians live with the risk of bushfire. The urban fringes of metropolitan Adelaide and regional towns and cities, and the Adelaide Hills are also key bushfire risk areas," Mr Fletcher said.
"And, even if people don't live in a bushfire prone area, it is inevitable that most of us will visit, work in, drive through or holiday in an area of bushfire risk during bushfire season. That's why the fire services are urging everyone to know where their Bushfire Safer Place is, well before a fire starts."
Not prepared yet, or want more information on preparing your property? Visit: https://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/bebushfireready.
Get to know your Bushfire Safer Places here: www.cfs.sa.gov.au/prepare-for-a-fire/be-prepared/bushfire-safer-places.
For media enquiries telephone Brittany Evins directly on 0428 639 522.
