Fire Danger season starts in Pastoral Districts
12/10/2012
The Fire Danger Season begins on Monday 15 October in the North East Pastoral and North West Pastoral fire ban districts two weeks earlier than initially scheduled.
Country Fire Service Chief Officer Greg Nettleton said the decision to start the Fire Danger season in advance for these two districts was made after considering recommendations from the respective bushfire management committees.
"The assessment made by the Outback Bushfire Management Committee of the current grass fuel loads in the North East Pastoral and North West Pastoral Districts has prompted us to begin the fire danger season earlier in this region," he said.
"The North East Pastoral area has an above average fuel load due to growth from the previous season and the above average rainfall received in this period.
"The North West Pastoral district has also experienced an above average fuel load due to growth from the previous season and the dry conditions experienced.
"Excessive fuel loads can ignite rapidly so it is essential that we make the community aware of this risk by starting the Fire Danger Season early in these two districts.
"Bushfires can occur without warning and it is imperative that the community is prepared ahead of time to avoid bushfire dangers. We are encouraging the South Australian public to start preparing for the bushfire season now."
The CFS has also set the Fire Danger Season dates for the following Fire Ban Districts:
• West Coast from Thursday, 1 November 2012 until Monday, 15 April 2013
• Lower Eyre Peninsula from Thursday, 1 November 2012 until Monday, 15 April 2013
• Eastern Eyre Peninsula from Thursday, 1 November 2012 until Monday, 15 April 2013
• Riverland from Thursday, 15 November 2012 until Monday, 15 April 2013
• Murraylands from Thursday, 15 November 2012 until Monday, 15 April 2013
• Upper South East from Thursday, 15 November 2012 until Monday, 15 April 2013
• Lower South East from Thursday, 22 November 2012 until Tuesday, 30 April 2013
Dates have yet to be determined for the remaining six Fire Ban Districts - Adelaide Metropolitan, Mt Lofty Ranges, Kangaroo Island, Mid North, Yorke Peninsula, and Flinders.
For more information on fire restrictions, preparing a Bushfire Survival Plan, Bushfire Safer Places and the Fire Danger Season, visit the CFS website at www.cfs.sa.gov.au.
For media enquiries telephone the CFS Media Line on (08) 8212 9849.
