Catastrophic Fire Danger Ratings for Yorke Peninsula and Lower Eyre Peninsula
09/12/2022
The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) is urging South Australians to be vigilant this weekend with the first significant fire danger weather for the season predicted for Saturday.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting Catastrophic fire danger ratings for Yorke Peninsula and Lower Eyre Peninsula, and Extreme ratings for Eastern Eyre Peninsula and Mid North on Saturday, meaning the risk of fire danger is considerable in these areas.
CFS Chief Officer, Brett Loughlin, said the public should be aware of weather conditions and mindful of the activities they carry out today and tomorrow.
"Although many parts of South Australia have experienced wet weather recently, the increased fuel load means communities will face threats from fast-moving, intense grass fires due to high growth areas," Chief Officer Loughlin said.
"We are urging the public, particularly those in rural and regional areas, to delay any activities that could start a fire and instead consider undertaking these when weather conditions are milder."
"This includes farmers, who will be able to harvest until it hits 40 FBI or 35 GFDI, which is expected to be reached very early in the day tomorrow."
"Following harvesting guidelines will reduce the risk of fires starting due to crop harvesting."
"We also urge anyone travelling in the country to know their risk by checking the fire danger ratings in the district they are travelling in or through and to stay alert and informed in case a bushfire starts."
The Fire Danger Season is now in place across South Australia and the small crop fire in Maitland this week was a timely reminder of the need for people to understand the new Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) to help assess their bushfire risk and what actions to take if a grass fire or bushfire starts.
Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Joe Szakacs, said fire danger ratings are a forecast of how dangerous a bushfire would be if it broke out.
"A catastrophic rating is the most dangerous conditions for a fire and if one starts and takes hold, lives could be lost. The safest place to be is away from high-risk bushfire areas," Minister Szakacs said.
"It's critical that people know what restrictions are in place during the Fire Danger Season and on Total Fire Ban days."
"We ask the public to support us by refraining from engaging in risky activities today, during what are set to be hazardous fire conditions."
For more information about the fire danger ratings and total fire bans, visit the CFS website at www.cfs.sa.gov.au.
