SA Country Fire Service

Media release

 

 

<Message Starts>

End of Fire Danger Season

29/04/2016

The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) will end the Fire Danger Season with restrictions to be lifted at midnight tomorrow (Saturday) in the six remaining fire ban districts: Adelaide Metropolitan, Kangaroo Island, Lower South East, Mid North, Mount Lofty Ranges and Yorke Peninsula.

In October, the Bureau of Meteorology warned of an ominous 2015/16 Fire Danger Season with an El Nino weather pattern providing dry and hot conditions.

In late November the grim outlook eventuated as catastrophic conditions saw the Pinery fire burn 82,500 hectares in the state's Mid North in just six hours.

CFS State Coordinator Mark Thomason said the ferocity of the grass fire meant firefighters could only provide defensive actions to save homes and assets.

"The Pinery fire took many people by surprise at its sheer speed and the devastation it caused in such a short amount of time," Mr Thomason said.

The Mosquito Hill fire on New Year's Eve threatened homes on the Fleurieu Peninsula and holiday makers along the coast but was controlled on the same day.

Since January the CFS has seen a relatively quiet season with mild weather meaning only a handful of Total Fire Ban Days. However, CFS volunteers still attended more than 4,800 incidents since the start of November with more than 9,600 brigade turnouts and over 1,000 rural incidents attended.

Mr Thomason thanked the many CFS volunteers who have devoted their time protecting the community once again this Fire Danger Season.

"Despite a relatively quiet second half of the season, our volunteers have still been out there working hard to stop fires each week.

"Over winter I encourage the community to start preparing properties for the next Fire Danger Season so when it comes to October it is not such a big job.

"Now is also a great time to discuss what your Bushfire Survival Plan could mean for your family and what actions you will take should a fire start near you.

"The work for many CFS volunteers will carry on over the cooler months as they continue to attend road crashes, structure fires and hazardous materials incidents."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

<Message Ends>

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

Government of South Australia