The strong message for Limestone Coast residents is to “plan and prepare” as recent bushfires in the northern hemisphere have prompted a warning as this year’s bushfire season approaches.
The Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) has highlighted large parts of eastern and central Australia have an increased risk of bushfire this spring.
Though the AFAC map does not highlight the Lower South East of South Australia as being within the increased risk zones, there is an increased fire risk across the state this year because of the predicted hot and dry conditions.
SA Country Fire Service (CFS) Community Risk and Resilience director Alison May said residents should expect an early start to the fire season.
“With a forecasted hot and dry summer, it’s really important for people to prepare their properties,” she said.
Ms May said it was recommended residents clear gutters, mow lawns, remove flammable materials close to the home and remove fallen branches and other debris.
“People should also make or review their Bushfire Survival Plans,” she said.
“During the fire season, people should check the fire danger ratings each day and stay informed using multiple sources of emergency warning information, including subscribing to CFS warnings through our website and downloading the Alert SA App.”
AFAC chief executive Rob Webb said it makes common sense to be prepared.
“We are often asked will it be as bad as Black Summer. It does not need to be a Black Summer to be dangerous,” he said.
“It just makes common sense for people to be prepared and spend the time now to sit down with families and have a plan.
“We do not need to have any reminders given what has happened in the northern hemisphere.
“Whether it be Greece or Canada … and of course the tragic conditions in Hawaii recently, the strong message is to plan and prepare (ahead of the season).”
Increased vegetation combined with warm, dry weather has prompted emergency authorities to put large areas of the country on high alert for bushfires this spring.
In its seasonal outlook released last Wednesday, the AFAC has put large parts of the country under elevated risk of “significant bushfire”.
A “significant bushfire” means one of such size, complexity, duration or other impact that would require resources from outside the region where the fire originates.
According to the outlook, parts of South Australia, including the Upper South East, have been highlighted as having this risk.
Small pockets of South Australia have also been flagged as having higher than normal fire risk, with weather conditions “rapidly” switching below average rainfall and drying out of soil in many areas of the state.
However, as for other areas of Australia, a “normal” season does not decrease the risk of fires.
Mr Webb said Australians needed to be prepared for a season that was likely to be more active than recent years.
“Fire is a regular part of the Australian landscape in spring,” he said.
“Wherever you live, work or travel, now is the time to plan and prepare.”
The outlook also warned a warmer, drier spring could change the situation quickly, and authorities would be watching the situation closely.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology will release its official outlook for spring this week.
After years of high rainfall, the bureau predicts it will be the first warm and dry spring for much of the country since 2020.
Maximum temperatures are expected to be above average across Australia, according to its current long-range outlook for September to November.
Years of heavy rainfall and a wet start to winter have boosted the amount of vegetation ready to burn.
In the event of fires and windy weather, these high grass fuel loads can support intense and fast spreading grass fires.
“Wherever you live, work or travel, now is the time to plan and prepare,” Mr Webb said.
“Understand your risk, know where you will get your information, and talk to your family about what you will do.”
