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Fire Regulations and Fire Restrictions..... What
is the Fire Danger Season? What is the Fire Danger Season? During the Fire Danger Season fire restrictions apply throughout South Australia including the Adelaide Metropolitan (Inner Adelaide) area. These restrictions are applied by the Country Fire Service (under the Country Fires Act) to help control fires during summer and protect lives and property. During this period you must apply for a permit to use fire outdoors at any time. There are some exceptions, notably barbecues, campfires, incinerators and some industrial processes such as gas and electric welding but these have restrictions and conditions to their use. Extra restrictions come in to force on ' Total Fire Ban Days' due to 'Days of Extreme Fire Danger'. Total Fire Bans apply for 24 hours from midnight to midnight and are broadcast on television and radio from 6:00pm as well as printed in morning newspapers. If you have any doubt about lighting any fire during the Fire Danger Season (or any other time) use the CFS Fire Bans Hotline 1300 362 361 to seek advice and also check with your local council regarding their local legislation and rules too. The hotline is a 24 hour information service for the public on fire bans, fire prevention and survival advice. The penalties for illegally lighting a fire are severe. You face the possibility of incurring heavy fines or imprisonment. Please don't risk it - phone the hotline and be sure you are doing the right thing! When is the Fire Danger Season? "The length of the Fire Danger Season will vary across the State but is usually considered to run from late October or early November to Autumn (April) in most areas. The average monthly rainfall decreases greatly from September to December with little useful rain falling in the first months of the year. The season often breaks during April and by May the normal Winter rainfall pattern has been established. The Fire Danger Season is defined in the Country Fires Act as the period from 1 November to 30 April. However, the CFS Board, in consultation with councils, has in some of the 15 fire ban districts altered these dates to suit seasonal and historical climatic conditions, combined with statistics on fire incidence and fire danger. The date of operation
of the Fire Danger Season must be published in the Government Gazette
and advertised in a paper circulating generally throughout South Australia.
To enable this to occur the process of setting the season and gazetting
the Fire Danger Season period must occur before the onset of the season,
enabling adequate publicity and public advice. This means declaration
cannot take account of minor seasonal variations. However if major seasonal
variation occurs the CFS Board can alter by re-gazettal the Fire Danger
Season dates for any fire ban district." The CFS runs a 24 hour 'Fire Bans Hotline' information service for the public on fire bans, fire prevention and survival advice Telephone 1300 362 361. |
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