Woman, 48, charged with allegedly starting six bushfires on Yorke Peninsula, days after the start of bushfire danger season

A Minlaton woman will face court after she allegedly started six bushfires on the Yorke Peninsula on Friday afternoon. Bushfire danger season for the area began on November 1.

A woman was charged with arson after allegedly starting six bushfires on the Yorke Peninsula on Friday, days after the start of bushfire danger season for the area.

The first fire caught the attention of police and CFS crews about 3pm at Agery.

It was promptly extinguished, before reports of another five fires came through between Agery and Urania, 44km apart.

All fires were contained and there were no reports of injury to people or damage to property.

A Minlaton woman, 48, was arrested and charged with six counts of causing a bushfire.

She was refused bail and will appear in the Port Pirie Magistrates Court on Monday.

It comes soon after the start of this year’s bushfire season for the Yorke Peninsula, that began on November 1 and will end on April 30.

A CFS crew mops up on Mount Bold Rd after the Cherry Gardens fire in January this year. Picture: Kelly Barnes

The Yorke Peninsula’s early start date was joined by the Flinders, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Lower Eyre Peninsula, Mid North, North East Pastoral, North West Pastoral and West Coast districts as summer fast approaches.

Country Fire Service deputy chief officer Rob Sandford told The Advertiser last month that above average rainfalls means more fuel for the state.

“There is fuel right across the state, and areas that have had average to above average rainfall, we’re seeing higher levels of fuel in those area and that’s starting to cure off now,” Mr Sandford said.

‘With rain comes growth and that dries off during the dry season so grass is going to be a problem this year.”

He said this year’s dates reflect a more standard season, in comparison to the past few years of drier weather, which saw the season begin early.