2017 SA Seasonal Bushfire Outlook shows dry SA winter provides perfect conditions for severe fire season this summer
PARTS of regional South Australia must be on high alert for a catastrophic bushfire season this summer with data revealing fire threats are likely to begin earlier with more severity than usual.
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REGIONAL parts of South Australia will be on high alert for a catastrophic summer bushfire season, as new data reveals fire threats are likely to hit earlier with more severity.
The APY Lands, northern pastoral districts and parts of the Riverland, Clare Valley as well as the Yorke Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula and West Coast have all been flagged as high risk after low rainfall in recent months.
This year, soil is particularly dry because of warmer temperatures.
Vegetation, which is perfect fuel for fires, is denser because of the state’s second wettest winter on record in 2016.
The data, released yesterday in the 2017 SA Seasonal Bushfire Outlook, notes that most of Australia has experienced a combination of above- average temperatures and below average rainfall over winter.
Kangaroo Island also faces fire risk and has been deprived of rain this winter, recording its driest June since records began in 1887, the report says.
And while SA’s upper and lower South-East has bucked the trend with average or just above average winter rainfall, fire is still a risk.
With major rains unlikely to hit SA over spring, conditions will become more dangerous as the state warms up before the start of summer.
The SA Seasonal Bushfire Outlook is used by MFS and CFS to plan their bushfire strategies for the upcoming season.
The report profiles fire risk for Australia based on rain amounts, locations and timing in the lead up to summer. It also takes into consideration fuel loads and soil dryness.
CFS regional commander Brett Loughlin said people must have a bushfire survival plan ready before “it’s too late”.
