The Mount Lofty Ranges lie just to the east and southeast of Adelaide and have experienced drier and warmer conditions in the past year. Photo: SA Government.
The Mount Lofty Ranges region east of Adelaide has had its fire danger season extended by two weeks to 14 May in the wake of ongoing hot and dry conditions in the state.
The South Australia Government said about double the number of fire drops were conducted on the ranges this season compared to last, and the extension was the first in the region since 2019.
About 3000 water and retardant drops have been conducted by fixed-wing and rotary-winged aircraft on the ranges this season, compared to nearly 1600 in the 2023/24 season, while total flight hours of fire-fighting aircraft have risen from 1400 to 1920 hours so far.
The government said aerial resources had played a critical role in supporting crews on the ground to suppress fires and help protect communities, with aircraft attending more than 200 incidents this season. These include the Wilmington fire in the Flinders Ranges in February, and blazes sparked by lightning strikes across the South East region last month.
It reminded people that restrictions around campfires and barbecues applied while the fire danger season stood, that localised restrictions might apply in national parks and forestry reserves, and that no campfires were permitted on total fire ban days without a permit.
Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services Emily Bourke said that after the driest summer SA had seen for some years, conditions remained a concern for frontline personnel, particularly in the Mount Lofty Ranges.
“CFS volunteers on the ground have been supported by crews in the sky, with our aerial fleet recording more drops and hours flown than last season,” she said.
“Their combined skills protect communities across the state and South Australians are reminded to follow simple steps to help volunteers get a break this Easter.”
Country Fire Service (CFS) Acting Deputy Chief Officer Brenton Hastie said fuel loads varied across the Mount Lofty Ranges.
“[There are] high forest and scrub fuels in parts and somewhat low fuels in others and the exceptionally dry conditions and lack of forecast rain in the near future poses a risk of fire,” he said.
“Volunteers have worked incredibly hard to keep the South Australian community safe throughout this fire danger season and will continue to respond to incidents across the state, but the community need to be aware that the risk of fire won’t abate until there is significant rainfall.”
