THE Country Fire Service (CFS) has called for extra care in the South East after several burn-offs resulted in out of control fires earlier this week.
Outbreaks on Monday at Lucindale, Rendelsham and Mount McIntyre were among seven in the state CFS volunteers were called to attend.
“All the burn-offs were clear cases of people not having enough resources on site to contain the fires,” CFS state duty controller Nick Stanley said.
“There are still many bone dry areas throughout the state, so people need to be cautious.
“Just because the fire danger season has finished in some districts does not mean that every square metre of that district will be a safe place to burnoff without proper care.”
Local CFS crew members were called to Rendelsham at 1.45pm on Monday after a burn-off became “out of control”.
Three units – Millicent, Rendelsham and Argyle – responded to the incident and were able to get the fire under control in half an hour.
Rendelsham crew members stayed on site and monitored the area, to ensure the burn-off did not spread any further.
An hour and a half later the local CFS received a call-out to Mount McIntyre for a similar incident.
Glencoe and Kalangadoo units responded to the out of control burn-off, which had allegedly “jumped the road, into a neighbour’s property”.
Fortunately, crew members managed to quickly control the fire, which had the potential to be “a lot bigger”.
Wattle Range CFS group officer Fred Stent said there was always a concern of burn-offs getting out of control if people did not have the right equipment.
“Under the rules they should have adequate water and personnel, as well as a clear four metre break around the area they are burning,” he said.
“However, circumstances like the wind, which can get up unexpectedly, causes a problem.”
Mr Stent emphasised the importance of people abiding by the rules for burn-offs.
“We hope that we will get some rain, which will finish the burning off season,” he said.
“Until we do get that rain some parts of the area will remain pretty dry.”
Mr Stent added the fire danger season had been average.
“It has not been too bad, but obviously the fires we had in Naracoorte and Tatiara were a big concern and could have happened anywhere in the South East,” he said.
Primary producers must follow the SA Broad Acre Burning Codes of Practice, which can be found on the CFS website.
The fire danger season has been extended for the Lower Eyre Peninsula until May 6 and Mount Lofty Ranges until May 15, while it ended this week in the South East.
People not following correct burn-off procedures can face prosecution, with $315 on the spot fines for small breaches and up to two years imprisonment and $10,000 fines for large fires.
