EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:01hrs 6 OCTOBER 2023
Warmer and dryer conditions throughout spring mean the 2023/24 Fire Danger Season will start early in six of the state's Fire Ban Districts.
SA Country Fire Service (CFS) has declared the season will start two weeks' early for the Flinders, North East Pastoral, North West Pastoral, and West Coast districts, which go into fire bans on 16 October, followed by Mid North and Yorke Peninsula districts on 1 November.
Fire Danger Season dates have also been confirmed for the Eastern Eyre on 1 November and 15 November for Lower Eyre Peninsula, which is in line with previous years.
This follows consultation with relevant Bushfire Management Committees, with a final declaration from CFS Chief Officer, Brett Loughlin AFSM.
CFS Director of Community Risk and Resilience, Alison May, said 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," Ms May said.
"As a consequence, the Bushfire Management Committees in these regions have recommended that the Fire Danger Season be brought forward earlier than normal."
"The start of the Fire Danger Season sends a message to all South Australians to be 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."
Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Joe Szakacs, said preparing for bushfires is a shared responsibility for all South Australians.
"Bushfires can happen at any time of the year, and it is everyone's responsibility to prepared 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.
A fire permit is required for burning activities during the Fire Danger Season or on days where a Total Fire Bans is declared.
Permits may be issued under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005 by an authorised officer of a local council.
Dates for the remaining seven fire ban districts will be announced in the coming weeks.
For more information on restrictions during the Fire Danger Season, how to prepare your home and property for the bushfire season, and how to develop a Bushfire Survival Plan, visit the CFS website at cfs.sa.gov.au.
2023/24 Fire Danger Season dates
Adelaide Metropolitan: TBC
Eastern Eyre: 1 November 2023 -15 April 2024
Flinders: 16 October 2023 -15 April 2024 (early start)
Kangaroo Island: TBC
Lower Eyre Peninsula: 15 November 2023 - 15 April 2024
Lower South East: TBC
Mid North: 1 November 2023 - 30 April 2024 (early start)
Mount Lofty Ranges: TBC
Murraylands: TBC
North East Pastoral: 16 October 2023 -31 March 2024 (early start)
North West Pastoral: 16 October 2023 - 31 March 2024 (early start)
Riverland: TBC
Upper South East: TBC
West Coast: 16 October 2023 - 15 April 2024 (early start)
Yorke Peninsula: 1 November 2023 - 30 April 2024 (early start)
