New nationally consistent bushfire danger rating system launched in SA

SA will today launch a new, nationally consistent bushfire danger rating system. See what it means for you, and how to use it.

South Australia’s new fire danger rating system is today being launched in a bid to achieve national consistency during bushfire season.

The system is live from September 1 and will show the severity of a bushfire and what to do to keep safe, with the same process followed in every state and territory.

The new Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) will replace the current SA system that was developed in the 1960s.

There are four levels of fire risk in the system, including:

GREEN: Moderate, plan, and prepare;

YELLOW: High, be ready to act;

ORANGE: Extreme, take action now and protect your life and property;

RED: Catastrophic, for your survival, leave bushfire risk areas.

The system will also introduce a “no rating” on days where no proactive action is required during bushfire season.

CFS crews battle a bushfire at Middle River on Kangaroo Island in 2020. Picture: Sean McGowan

Total fire bans are still in place on no rating days, but there is less risk of a fire spreading in a dangerous manner.

The fire behaviour index within the AFDRS will be used by industry professionals to support decisions about fire preparedness, suppression, and prescribed burning.

The index now takes into consideration eight fuel types compared with just two in the previous system.

Country Fire Service executive director operations Brett Loughlin said the new system was aimed at improve public safety across the country.

Kangaroo Island’s destructive 2020 blaze. Picture: Sean McGowan.

“Having clear public messaging is vitally important to ensure communities from all around Australia can understand what actions to take to keep them safe when they are travelling, living or working in South Australia,” Mr Loughlin said.

“The implementation of the new AFDRS means no matter where you go in Australia, whatever the season, or fuels that surround you, you will be able to understand the level of threat and what you need to do to stay safe.”

SA led a national research project that was integral in the implementation of the new AFDRS, Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs said.

“Through this research it was identified that most Australians do not believe the Fire Danger Ratings are relevant to them.”