Prepare now, plan ahead and stay informed

Living in a bushfire risk area means danger is on your doorstep.

From 1 September 2022, Australia’s Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) will be improved and simplified to make it easier for you to make decisions to stay safe on days of high fire danger.

The move to a simpler system is backed by improvements in science, which will mean we can better predict areas of greater risk on days of fire danger. The system is also being implemented across Australia, meaning wherever you are, you’ll be able to understand the level of threat and what you need to do to keep you and your family safe.

You can read the fact sheet for the new guide here

With summer just around the corner there’s no better time than now to start preparing for the upcoming fire danger season.
Preparing your family and property for bushfires can save your life and theirs if you’re in a bushfire prone area.

Take the time to clean up around your house – clear gutters, rake leaves, prune or cut back branches, mow lawns and move any combustibles away from your home.

Sit down with your family, plan ahead and decide the actions you’ll take if a bushfire was to start in your region.

Your plan should outline what the triggers are for you to stay or leave, the routes you’ll take to leave your property or home, how you’ll take care of your pets, where you’ll evacuate too and what you need in your emergency kit.

Staying informed throughout summer will help you stay aware of the current conditions and fire danger ratings.
The Country Fire Services website has updated fire danger ratings for each day throughout summer, so keep a close eye on the CFS website www.cfs.sa.gov.au for fires and changes to the fire danger rating on a day to day basis in your area.

Maintaining your Property

Before the fire danger season starts all properties should be slashed of long grass and kept in a neat and tidy order. All chemicals should be properly stored and items such as timber and tires removed. Under Section 105F of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005, property owners are required to maintain their land to prevent / inhibit the outbreak or spread of fire on their property.

Failure to do so will result in a warning from Council. If warnings go ignored, a minimum fine of $473 and expiation notice will follow.

Download the Is your property fire season ready? fact sheet

To be ready for the fire danger season and compliant, you are required to take the following action:

• Within 20 metres of any building, reduce all grass, pest plants and undergrowth to a maximum height of 10cm

• If the land is a vacant block under half a hectare in area, reduce all grass, pest plants and undergrowth to a maximum height of 10cm over the whole block.

• If the land is a vacant block over half a hectare in area, establish and maintain a fuel break around the whole area, placed as near as practicable to the perimeter. The fuel break shall be at least a 5 metre wide strip on which all grass, pest plants and undergrowth is reduced to a maximum height of 10cm.

Find a full list of local slashing contractors here

For more information on Fire Prevention please contact Council’s Fire Prevention Officer by phoning 8862 0800, or email admin@wrc.sa.gov.au