Despite recent major fire events and media coverage, about 1 in 5 South Australians living in bushfire-risk areas do not have a decision or plan for bushfires.
Reducing complacency and increasing preparedness is the objective of the Be Bushfire Ready campaign, being launched by the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS).
Bushfire Survival Plan
CFS Chief Officer - Brett Loughlin said South Australians should not underestimate the importance of having a Bushfire Survival Plan, with current weather patterns around the state of particular concern to the CFS.
"It may be wet, but the current weather patterns we are seeing across the state are causing exponential growth of vegetation, which means there will be more fuel to burn when the weather inevitably dries out," said Chief Officer Loughlin.
3x growth
Don't be fooled into thinking there is no bushfire risk in South Australia this season"
"Don't be fooled into thinking there is no bushfire risk in South Australia this season," said CFS Chief Officer - Brett Loughlin, adding "Much of the state is seeing significant fuel growth, with some areas experiencing 3x the normal growth of fuels such as spear grass."
He continues, "The Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands have seen their first significant fires of the season already. We are also starting to see large parts of the state - particularly up North - dry out, with grass curing levels already hitting 90% and above, which is very concerning coming into the bushfire season."
Fire Danger Season
The Fire Danger Season will commence on the following dates across South Australia:
- 1 November 2022: Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Flinders, North East Pastoral, North West Pastoral, West Coast
- 15 November 2022: Lower Eyre Peninsula, Mid North, Murraylands, Riverland, Upper South East, Yorke Peninsula
- 22 November 2022: Lower South East
- 1 December 2022: Adelaide Metropolitan, Kangaroo Island, Mount Lofty Ranges
key to bushfire survival
The key to bushfire survival is knowing there might be a risk and preparing for the unexpected when a bushfire starts
Minister for Emergency Services - Joe Szakacs MP said the key to bushfire survival is knowing there might be a risk and preparing for the unexpected when a bushfire starts.
"A significant proportion of the at-risk population are unaware they live in a bushfire risk area or are complacent about actively preparing for a bushfire in their area, and this behavior needs to change," said Minister Joe Szakacs MP.
Steps to prepare
"This campaign prompts those people to consider all possible scenarios when a bushfire starts - what if the roads are blocked? What if the power cuts out? What if you're not at home but your family and pets are?"
"Preparing for the bushfire season should include simple activities such as checking the daily weather forecast, familiarising yourself with the new Australian Fire Danger Rating Systems, and knowing what can and can't be done on Total Fire Ban days," said the Minister.
Alert SA app
Bushfires do not put themselves out once they hit urban boundaries and many homes have been lost"
"Most importantly, we want every South Australian to complete their Bushfire Survival Plan and have the Alert SA app downloaded on their mobile devices." Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) Acting Chief Officer Paul Fletcher said all South Australians are at risk of being impacted by bushfires, including those living on the urban fringe.
"Bushfires do not put themselves out once they hit urban boundaries and many homes have been lost when sparks and burning embers travel ahead of a fire and land on homes," said Acting Chief Officer Fletcher.
Preparing for bushfire risk area
"It is essential for people living in the outskirts of metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, and some of our larger country towns, to prepare their homes to increase the chances of your home surviving a bushfire, even if you plan to leave early."
"In addition, most South Australians either work in, travel through, or holiday in bushfire risk areas so need to know what you need to do if a bushfire starts nearby."
