CFS and MFS launch new bushfire awareness TV commercial as grassfires burn across South Australia

A NEW bushfire awareness campaign will launch on Sunday as grass fires fuelled by high temperatures and winds burn across the state.

• Hell on Earth: South Australia’s worst bushfires
• 2017 SA Seasonal Bushfire Outlook

A HARD hitting advertising campaign is warning residents in suburbs on the fringes of Adelaide and larger towns to not be complacent of the risks posed by bushfires.

The release comes as South Australia faces its first day of wide spread fire bans and volunteer Country Fire Service crews across this state scramble to put out grass and hay fires before they spread.

The advert with the sombre message “Complacency Kills” will launch this weekend and targets communities who may not be aware they are within bushfire risk areas.

“From Sunday night we will be running adverts across the state reminding people that complacency kills,” Emergency Services Minister Chris Picton said.

“We are also putting out the call to all South Australians to make sure their bush fire plans are in place, up to date and they are well prepared for bushfire risks this season.

“This is significantly important for people across regional South Australia but also for people living in the peri-urban fringes of Adelaide who might not realise they are at risk.”

Friday has been the first day of the year to have multiple districts declared total fire bans.

“We have a combination today of hot weather, windy weather and lightning across the state which leads to a significant fire danger,” Mr Picton said.

“The CFS and their partners in the MFS have significant resources in place and have been responding to bushfires across the state today to try and restrict them at an early level.”

Grass and stubble fires affected Coober Pedy, Mylor, Eden Hills, Yalata, Davenport, Kudla and Waitpinga.

Remember TOTAL FIRE BANS today until midnight. Very hazardous conditions are predicted, fires in open NOT PERMITTED https://t.co/enb5mwiLnS pic.twitter.com/PzrlBKM1Yp

— Country Fire Service (@CFSAlerts) October 26, 2017

A controlled burn reignited in Wypinga with four crews battling to keep the remote fire away from a property.

Multiple CFS crews attended a haystack fire in Mallala, fighting to keep the intense blaze contained while a large hay fire continues to smoulder in Laura.

A forest fire in Mount Crawford continues to burn but has been contained.

Another fire in the Gawler Ranges at Mt Granite, west of Scrubby Peak, was burning in a an inaccessible part of the park, with bush walkers and campers warned to avoid the area.

MFS Chief Officer Greg Crossman said recent devastating bushfires in California showed how at risk outer fringe urban communities could be in the face of adverse conditions.

The wildfires in northern California killed 42 people and devastated 8,400 properties.

“More than 1,100 MFS firefighters from 36 fire stations across South Australia stand ready to support the CFS in responding to bushfires over bushfire season,” Mr Crossman.

“Please don’t underestimate the speed and power of bushfires.

“Ensure you consider places you work, visit, travel through and holiday in when making your plan.”

CFS Chief Officer Greg Nettleton said the community had a joint responsibility to be ready for bushfires.

“Too often we see people making decisions to leave too late, once a bushfire has started,” Mr Nettleton said.

“People need to plan early and know what they and their families will do in the event of a bushfire.”