Limestone Coast residents are being urged to prepare for the upcoming bushfire season, with significant grass growth and above-average crops raising concerns about fire risks as conditions dry out.
SA Country Fire Service (CFS) Regional Prevention Officer Scott Murray has warned residents against becoming complacent, despite the wet conditions experienced across parts of the region.
Mr Murray, based at the CFS South East Headquarters in Naracoorte, said the Limestone Coast experienced a wet start to the year, although some areas received below-average rainfall during winter.
While the impact of forecast El Niño conditions on the region’s fire risk and behaviour was yet to be fully determined, he said residents should not assume the wet conditions would keep them safe.
“Just because there is still water on the ground or the grass remains green does not mean the fire risk won’t increase as conditions dry out over summer,” Mr Murray said.
He said significant grass growth across the Limestone Coast, along with reports of above-average crop growth from primary producers, could present increased risks as summer approached.
“As these fuels cure and dry, they have the potential to increase fire risk across the Limestone Coast.”
With almost 20 years of experience as a CFS staff member and 35 years as a volunteer firefighter, Mr Murray said preparing homes, properties and families well before the Fire Danger Season was essential.
“It’s vital that everyone has prepared, shared and practised a bushfire survival plan with their family,” he said.
He also reminded residents that firefighting resources could be stretched during a major bushfire.
“The community also needs to understand that, in a significant bushfire, there may not be a fire truck available to defend every home.
“The better prepared a property is, the greater the likelihood it can be defended by CFS volunteers.”
Mr Murray said simple steps could make a significant difference, including clearing flammable materials from around homes, cleaning gutters, trimming overhanging branches and ensuring emergency vehicles could access properties.
Residents were also encouraged to complete the CFS 5 Minute Bushfire Plan, discuss it with their families and practise what to do if a bushfire threatened their property.
He said households should prepare a relocation kit containing important documents, identification, medications, clothing, photographs, irreplaceable items and essentials for children and pets.
For those living on farms and rural properties, Mr Murray said early preparation was particularly important.
He noted that many primary producers already carried out valuable fuel-reduction activities through their everyday farming operations, including grazing paddocks around homes, sheds and other infrastructure.
These activities, he said, could help reduce fire intensity and improve the chances of protecting properties.
Mr Murray urged residents to familiarise themselves with their nearest Bushfire Safer Place and download the Alert SA app, setting up watch zones to receive local fire warnings and emergency information.
He also encouraged people to monitor the CFS website and social media channels, along with ABC radio, the official emergency broadcast partner.
For those who had not yet begun their preparations, Mr Murray said there was still time to act.
“It’s never too late to start preparing. You can complete a CFS 5 Minute Bushfire Plan today and begin taking practical steps to get ready for summer.”
He said those without a 5 Minute Bushfire Plan should prioritise identifying their nearest Bushfire Safer Place and ensuring they had access to reliable emergency warnings.
More information, including bushfire survival planning and Bushfire Safer Places, is available at cfs.sa.gov.au.
Caption: SA Country Fire Service (CFS) Regional Prevention Officer Scott Murray. Picture: Supplied.
