REDUCED winter rainfall, followed by a dry start to spring has resulted in fire danger seasons in seven districts starting early.
Mid North, Murraylands, Riverland and Yorke Peninsula will each start the fire danger season two weeks early on November 1, while the Flinders, North East Pastoral and North West Pastoral areas will begin one week early on October 22.
The Riverland, Murraylands and Flinders have been identified as having a greater than average fire danger this season.
Country Fire Service preparedness operations acting director Brett Loughlin said this move recognised the persistent dry conditions showed no signs of easing.
“This serves as an important reminder that conditions that are present can create a fire risk earlier than people might be used to,” he said. “It will be upon us shortly.”
He said those in regions expected to start fire danger seasons as normal – Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Lower EP and West Coast on November 1 – should also not be complacent.
Dates are yet to be announced for the Mount Lofty Ranges, Upper South East, Lower SE and Kangaroo Island.
“In a normal fire season in SA we know it can be dangerous, it’s a mark of our climate, terrain and the weather we’ve been having,” he said. “Once we’re into the fire season, all we need is a hot, dry, windy day and the conditions are there to travel across the country rapidly.”
Related reading: Riverland, Murrayland, Flinders at increased fire risk
Mr Loughlin said the Bureau of Meteorology issuing a El Nino alert also indicated the likelihood of increased fire danger.
“We’re in for a hot and dry summer, with a big increased chance of bushfire,” he said.
The CFS and state government have prepared for the upcoming fire season with the expansion of the aerial firefighting fleet from 19 to 26 and the development of a new aerial base at Hoyleton in the Mid North.
Emergency Services Minister Corey Wingard said the new Mid North Primary Response Zone would include two firebombers, a tactical coordination helicopter and an intelligence helicopter that could be dispatched when a fire is reported.
It joins similar PRZ in the Mount Lofty Ranges, Lower EP and Lower SE.
“The increase in the number of firefighting aircraft will provide greater support to ground-based CFS firefighters across the state,” he said.
Mr Loughlin said the Mid North site had been in the pipeline for a number of years, with its importance highlighted bythe 2015 Pinery fire.
He said the PRZ location meant aerial support could reach a fireground quickly.
Mr Loughlin warned with the proximity of the aerial support, farmers in firefighting units would need more awareness about the arrival of the firebombers.
“People may see aircraft arriving much quicker than they are used to – they may find them onsite before the on-ground CFS trucks are able to arrive safely,” he said.
“People need to be aware so we can all operate on the fireground safely.”
Mr Loughlin said if a firebomber was sounding a siren, it meant up to 3000 litres of water would be dropped on the next pass.
“If someone hears the siren above them, they need to move out of the area quickly as they will return to drop water imminently,” he said. “Bombers almost always drop in pairs so look for the chaser aircraft.”
Elizabeth Anderson
Editor of Stock Journal.
Editor of Stock Journal.
