South Australians are being urged to prepare a bushfire plan ahead of summer.
South Australians are being urged to prepare their homes for bushfires if they haven’t already as six more regions enter the fire danger season.
The SA Country Fire Service has officially launched its Be Bushfire Ready campaign , with chief officer Brett Loughlin reminding homeowners and tenants to create a 5 Minute Bushfire Plan.
“With plenty of growth across much of the state, there is a lot of vegetation that can create risks as we head into fire danger season, especially in our farming communities,” Mr Loughlin said.
“Creating a 5 Minute Bushfire Plan is a simple way to get prepared.
“It helps you understand your options, gather the things you’ll need in an emergency, and make important decisions before a fire starts.
SA Country Fire Service chief officer Brett Loughlin AFSM speaks to media flanked by Michael Bohrnsen CFS ASM, Alert SA representative and Minister Rhiannon Pearce. Picture: Emma Brasier
“You might never need to use your plan, but if the worst does happen, having one could make all the difference for you and your family.”
The fire danger season for the Riverland, Murraylands, Upper South East, Lower South East, Mid North and Yorke Peninsula started on November 1, joining the Eastern Eyre, Flinders, North East Pastoral, North West Pastoral and West Coast districts.
The Lower Eyre Peninsula follows on November 15, while dates are yet to be announced for the state’s remaining fire ban districts – Adelaide Metropolitan, Mount Lofty Ranges and Kangaroo Island.
Adelaide Hills resident Caitlin Bate makes a bushfire plan with her family every year after experiencing several scares.
She said it reassured them that they could act quickly if a bushfire did occur.
“Our plan is to leave early, as defending our house is not an option, and when we know there’s a high-risk fire day, we have a quick chat about what we are going to do,” she said.
“Our preparation means we know what we’re going to do, and we can manage the responses of our children.
“I would recommend people creating a 5 Minute Bushfire Plan, it’s very easy to do and provides peace of mind.”
SA Metropolitan Fire Service chief officer Jeff Swann. Picture: 7NEWS.
SA Metropolitan Fire Service chief officer Jeff Swann said it wasn’t just residents of rural areas who needed to prepare.
“South Australia’s urban and peri-urban landscape means many communities live where the suburbs meet bushland, grassland and farmland, and fires in these urban fringe areas can move quickly and affect homes, lives and critical infrastructure,” Mr Swann said.
“Whether you live in a regional town or on the edge of our metropolitan area, taking five minutes to plan now can make a real difference when a bushfire threatens.”
SA Emergency Services Minister Rhiannon Pearce said South Australians were well aware of the dangers of bushfires but no one could afford to be complacent.
“By visiting the CFS website and completing a 5 Minute Bushfire Plan, as well as removing fire risks from around your home and downloading the Alert SA app, you can keep yourself and your family safe and help our emergency services,” she said.
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