SA Country Fire Service

Media release

<Message Starts>

CFS asks tourists to pack a plan along with the marshmallows

01/11/2016

Holidaymakers day dreaming of a long summer's drive across South Australia are being asked to pack a bushfire plan with the same enthusiasm they pack the marshmallows.

The warning to road travellers comes almost a year on from the Pinery fire in the State's mid-north which saw many caught in precarious situations on the road with no plan of action.

CFS State Coordinator, Yvette Dowling said people planning a road trip should be prepared for a bushfire.

"We saw tourists during Pinery caught out with no idea where to go or what to do when they encountered the fire," she said

"We saw drivers continuing towards the fire to get pictures and not realising how much danger they were in.

"If you are driving in unfamiliar roads knowing alternative routes and understanding the danger is a vital part of preparing for your road trip."

Ms Dowling said making sure you are across warnings and information is vital too.

"Knowing what your local emergency radio frequencies will mean you can have access to any warnings for the area.

"Being informed about restrictions during the fire danger season and days of Total Fire Bans can help you make decisions about where to go not just the risk of bushfire.

"It could be you are unable to use a barbeque due to a Total Fire Ban in place for the area you intend to travel to, the AlertSA app is another way you can get a lot of the information on where you are headed."

For more information on creating a Bushfire Survival Plan and being prepared for a holiday visit the CFS website cfs.sa.gov.au

<Message Ends>

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

Government of South Australia