2019 Fire Danger Season completion dates extended
04/04/2019
Nine of 15 South Australian Fire Ban Districts have been extended by two weeks this year due to above average temperatures and below average rainfall through spring and summer.
After consultation with local Bushfire Management Committees, the SA Country Fire Service's Chief Officer Greg Nettleton has announced the following extensions:
Adelaide Metro - extended two weeks until 12/05/19
Eastern Eyre - extended two weeks until 30/04/19
Flinders - No extension - finishes 15/04/19
Kangaroo Island - To be finalised - currently finishing 30/04/19
Lower Eyre Peninsula - extended two weeks until 30/04/19
Lower South East - No extension - currently finishing 30/04/19
Mid North - No extension - currently finshing 30/04/19
Mount Lofty Ranges - extended two weeks until 12/05/19
Murraylands - extended two weeks until 30/04/19
North East Pastoral - no extension - finished 31/03/19
North West Pastoral - no extension - finished 31/03/19
Riverland - extended by two weeks until 30/04/19
Upper South East - extended by two weeks until 30/04/19
West Coast - extended by two weeks until 30/04/19
Yorke Peninsula - extended by two weeks until 30/04/19
Chief Officer Nettleton said the risk of bushfire would not reduce until South Australia received substantial rainfall in most areas across the state.
"We would require rainfall of more than 180mm, combined with milder autumn conditions, before we are likely to see a reduction in risk in many areas," Mr Nettleton said.
"In many areas trees and bushland are stressed due to the hot, dry summer," he said.
"Without substantial rainfall in the foreseeable future, our risk of bushfires remains high."
He cautioned people in areas where the Fire Danger Season had completed to commence burn-offs with care.
Mr Nettleton advised anyone wishing to do broad acre burning to ensure they comply with the Code of Practice.
"There are still be patches within the state where fuel loads are very high and very dry," Mr Nettleton said.
"People may need to delay their burn-offs a few more weeks to avoid large fires," he said.
"So far this year our volunteers have been part of large scale deployments to complex fires in Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania.
"South Australia saw a 1200 hectare fire earlier this season at Gosse, but have not had another of that size since.
"We are currently in a record breaking Fire Danger Season for above average heat and lack of rainfall, and it is only through the commitment of our volunteers that we have not seen many dangerous fires become large threats to our communities," Mr Nettleton said.
"With the help and patience of the community to adhere to these extensions, we can make it remain that way," he said.
