Fact Sheets

These fact sheets and guides provide more detailed information about what we do and can help you create your Bushfire Survival Plan.

Aerial firefighting

Aircraft are particularly valuable for fires in difficult terrain or fast moving fires that are too dangerous for ground crews to be placed in front of.

Aerial firefighting products

Aerial firefighting products are added to the water in the aircraft's tank to increase the effectiveness of firebombing drops.

Australian Warning System

As part of a new Australian Warning System, the way we display incidents on our website and the Alert SA app is changing.

Building a home in a bushfire risk area

Ember attack is the main cause of homes catching fire during a bushfire. You need to take into account a range of factors.

Building and renovating in a bushfire prone area

Bushfire Advice and Warning Messages

Fire can threaten suddenly and without warning so you should always be ready to act. We will provide as much information as possible to help you make an informed decision however you may not always receive an official warning directly.

Bushfire Safer Places

As part of your Bushfire Survival Plan, you need to know where you can relocate to if you plan to leave early or if your plan to stay and defend has failed. Find the nearest Bushfire Safer Place and Bushfire Last Resort Refuge.

Creating fuel breaks around your home

A fuel break is an area where vegetation has been reduced to lessen the risk of bushfires starting or spreading. There are several ways to make fuel breaks around your home.

Emergency kits

Every household will need different items in their emergency kit. You won’t know exactly what should be in yours until you’ve written your Bushfire Survival Plan.

Fire danger ratings have changed

Fire Danger Ratings are now simpler and easier to understand.

Grinders, welders, cutters and engines

Spark-producing power tools need special care if used during the Fire Danger Season, and may also need permits to be used on high fire risk days

How buildings burn

There are several ways building can catch fire during bushfire. These include ember attack, direct flame contact and radiant heat.

Permits to burn

Fines of up to $10,000 and two years jail or on the spot fines of $315 are given if the failure to follow the correct procedures results in a fire.

PFAS Community Update

CFS has engaged an accredited independent Site Contamination Auditor to oversee and review all works undertaken. The completed investigations have assessed the health risk as low.

PFAS Frequently Asked Questions

PFAS is a universal acronym given to more than 3,000 man-made fluorinated organic chemicals. PFAS primarily refers to per-fluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, but can also include perfluorooctane (PFOS), perflurooctane acid (PFOA) and perfluorinated chemicals (PFC).

Planning to leave early

Planning to leave early needs planning and consideration, you need to understand what the triggers are to leave and know what actions you should take before leaving.

Planning to stay and defend

Staying and defending your home during a bushfire is very dangerous. If you are planning to stay you will need to prepare throughout the year.

Preparing pets and livestock for bushfires

If you have to leave your home during a high fire risk day you will need to decide whether to take your smaller pets with you. For your larger pets you may want to put them in a safer paddock.

Preparing your home for bushfires

You can be bushfire ready even if you are planning to leave early or renting your home.

Private bushfire shelters - bunkers

The SA Country Fire Service does not endorse the usage of private bushfire shelters or bunkers that are not built to the Private Bushfire Shelter Performance Standards.

Restrictions: What can and can’t I do?

Throughout the Fire Danger Season there are strict controls on the lighting of fires and the use of certain tools in open areas. When a Total Fire Ban day is declared, there are further restrictions on what you can and can’t do.

Using Fire Behaviour Index for operational policies

Your existing operational policies may require adjustments based on the FBI-Fire Danger Ratings alignment.

Ways to stay informed

Don’t rely on a single source for emergency warning information. There are many different ways to stay informed about bushfires and other emergencies.
This flowchart illustrates the communication of information during an incident.

If you would prefer a more detailed document, we have the below Guides to help you plan for bushfire.

Guides

Looking after horses in bushfires

If you own a horse, it is important to plan what you will do to protect them if your property is threatened by bushfire. Plan to move your horses into safer paddocks well before the fire starts.

The Fire Danger Season

During the Fire Danger Season restrictions are placed on lighting fires to reduce the chances of large fires starting. These restrictions are escalated when a Total Fire Ban is declared.

What to do when a bushfire happens

On a day of Extreme or Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating, the most important thing you should do is activate your Bushfire Survival Plan. You could choose to stay and defend or leave early, but you need know what you will do when a bushfire happens.