Fire Prevention

You can look up CFS stations using the South Australian Country Fire Service Promotions Unit.

FIRE STATIONS

Loxton 8584 7000
Moorook 8583 9297
Blanchetown 8540 5002
Taplan 8587 2208
Wunkar 8587 6206
Browns Well 8587 3022
Waikerie 8541 2909

For all fire emergencies call 000

The Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005 and Regulations have amended the conditions applicable for the lighting of fires during the Fire Danger Season.

The Fire Danger Season will commence Saturday 1 November and end on Thursday 30 April (Riverland).

All fires during the Fire Danger Season, with the exception of fires for cooking, personal comfort and other permitted activities such as gas or electric welding and the use of mechanical cutters, must be by permit. Permits will only be issued for agriculture and horticulture purposes once a burning permit application has been completed.

Permits may be obtained from the following authorised officers:

Fire Prevention Officers:

S.W. Potter & W Pritchard

Loxton Office - 8584 8000

Waikerie Office - 8541 0700

Burning Permit Application

The conditions applicable to any Permit issued under the Act for burning off land on any day during the Fire Danger Season other than a day of Total Fire Ban are :-

The conditions applicable to any Permit issued under the Act for burning off land on any day during the Fire Danger Season other than a day of Total Fire Ban are :-

1. that the land immediately around the relevant land must be cleared of all flammable vegetation to distance of at least four metres;
2. that at least 2 persons who are able to control the fire must be present at the site of the fire from the time it is lighted to the time it is completely extinguished;
3. that the fire must be lighted from the leeward side of the relevant land to establish a protective break, and then may be lighted from the windward side of the land;
4. that at least 400 litres of water, or such greater amount of water as may be specified in the permit, must be kept at hand to extinguish the fire; and
5. that the holder of the permit must, not more than seven days and not less than two hours, before the fire is lighted, give notice of his or her intention to light the fire –

• to any person who owns, occupies or is in charge of land adjoining the land holding where the relevant land is situated and
• if the relevant land is inside (or partially inside) a council area - to an officer of the council for that area;
• if the relevant land is within two kilometres of a government reserve - to the person in charge of the reserve.

In addition to the above conditions, Council has additional conditions used for specific permits as below:

• Charcoal Burning
• Sulphur Burning

Please also refer to the code of practice:

• Grain Harvest - Code of Practice
• Broad Acre Burning - Code of Practice

The use of gas or electric barbecues on total fire ban days is permitted provided the following conditions are complied with:

1. The barbecue must be within 15 metres of the user's private residence or on a proclaimed area.
2. The space immediately around the barbecue is cleared of all flammable material for a radius of at least four metres; and
3. The barbecue is not left unattended while it is a light or charged.

The proclaimed areas within this Council area are as follows:

• The Loxton Recreation Grounds including the Swimming Pool, Town Caravan Park & Anzac Crescent Playground
• The portion of the Loxton Riverfront known as: The Aquatic Club Area, Apex Park, Lions Park, Riverfront Caravan Park, Packard Bend Sand Bar
• Loxton North Oval
• Moorook Oval
• Moorook Riverfront
• Wunkar Oval
• Waikerie Riverfront Reserve
• Paisley Riverfront Reserve
• Ramco Oval
• Apex Park (Ramco)
• The portion of the Kingston-on-Murray Riverfront extending upstream from the boat ramp up to and including the marina

Each year during October and November (subject to seasonal conditions), Council inspects properties for compliance with the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005 and associated Regulations.

Under Section 105F of the Act, private landowners must take reasonable steps to:

• prevent or reduce the risk of fire starting on their land;
• prevent or reduce the spread of fire through their land;
• protect property on the land from fire; and
• minimise the threat to human life from fire.

Maximum penalty: $5,000

Council may issue a Section 105F Notice where it believes conditions on private land create an unreasonable fire risk due to the presence of flammable undergrowth, vegetation, or other combustible material.

If a notice is not complied with, Council may:

• issue an expiation notice; and/or
• arrange for fire hazard reduction works (such as slashing), with the cost on-charged to the landowner.

We ask all landholders to keep their properties clean and free from fire hazards year-round, and especially during the Fire Danger Season. Please remember that bushfire prevention is an obligation, not an option