Bushfire

Early start to Fire Danger Season expected for several districts across SA

By Stacey Caruso

Posted on October 5, 2023

With warmer than usual weather throughout Spring, the SA Country Fire Service has announced an early start to Fire Danger Season.

Warmer and dryer conditions during the Spring season have led to an early declaration of the 2023/24 Fire Danger Season for six of South Australia’s Fire Ban Districts.

The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) has announced that the Fire Danger Season will begin two weeks earlier than usual for several districts due to the alarming conditions. The Flinders, North East Pastoral, North West Pastoral, and West Coast districts will observe fire bans starting from the 16th of October. This will be followed by the Mid-North and Yorke Peninsula districts initiating their fire ban period on the 1st of November.

Furthermore, the Fire Danger Season start dates for other districts, such as the Eastern Eyre, have been confirmed for the 1st of November, with the Lower Eyre Peninsula starting on the 15th of November, aligning with the trends of previous years.

This decision has been made after rigorous consultation with the relevant Bushfire Management Committees, with the final declaration given by CFS Chief Officer Brett Loughlin AFSM.

Highlighting the current situation, CFS Director of Community Risk and Resilience, Alison May, remarked, ‘The Bushfire Management Committees and local councils have reported significant and widespread grass fuel loads and curing in recent weeks.’

‘These changes have been assessed against what would normally be expected in these six Fire Ban Districts. As a consequence, the Bushfire Management Committees in these regions have recommended that the Fire Danger Season be brought forward earlier than normal,’ says Ms May.

For residents and visitors of the state, the declaration serves as a crucial reminder as we head into Summer.

‘The start of the Fire Danger Season sends a message to all South Australians to prepare for the upcoming season, including knowing what they can and can’t do during the Fire Danger Season and on Total Fire Ban days’, Ms May emphasised.

Minister for Police, Emergency Services, and Correctional Services Joe Szakacs has urged that it’s everyone’s responsibility in the community to be prepared for the challenges of the season.

‘Bushfires can happen at any time of the year, and it is everyone’s responsibility to prepare for bushfires, irrespective of the Fire Ban District they live in, work at, or are likely to visit this summer,’ Minister Szakacs said. ‘I encourage all residents, workers and visitors to any of South Australia’s 15 Fire Ban Districts to help reduce their risk by developing a Bushfire Survival Plan,’ he said.

It’s important to note that during the Fire Danger Season or on days when a Total Fire Ban is announced, a fire permit is necessary for any burning activities. Such permits can be obtained under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005 through an authorised officer of a local council.

While the dates for the upcoming season have been set for many districts, the timelines for the remaining seven fire ban districts are expected to be announced shortly, and residents and visitors are urged to stay informed.

For comprehensive details on restrictions during the Fire Danger Season, guidelines on preparing your property for bushfire season, and insights on creating a Bushfire Survival Plan, visit the CFS website here.