Fire danger season

This Fire Danger Season will commence Wednesday 15 November 2023 for the Mount Lofty Ranges fire ban district.

The Barossa Council area falls within the Mount Lofty Ranges fire ban district, one of the 15 districts in the State of South Australia. The Fire Danger Season, declared by the Country Fire Service (CFS), spans from 15 November 2023 to 30 April 2024, representing a period of heightened risk for the spread or outbreak of fires.

During the Fire Danger Season, restrictions are placed on activities that are likely to increase the risk of fire outbreak such as the use of certain tools, backyard burning and barbecues.

The Fire Danger Season can often commence earlier in the year or extend to a later date due to dry conditions. Changes to the 'season' will again be determined by the CFS, and are based on various factors including data and assessments by our Fire Prevention Officers.

Find more information on the declared Fire Danger Season dates across the state at the CFS.

In addition to the Fire Danger Season, the CFS can declare a Total Fire Ban. This enforces higher levels of restrictions due to a much higher risk of fire outbreak or spread. The cause is often due to high winds and high temperature.

The CFS provides valuable information on what you can do, and what you can't do during the Fire Danger Season and on Total Fire Ban days.

For exceptional or urgent activities during the Fire Danger Season, authorised Council Officers can issue a permit.

If approved and issued, this permit will enable an activity to be undertaken which would otherwise not be permitted during the Fire Danger Season or on a Total Fire Ban day.

There are two types of permits available:

1. Schedule 9 permit allows activities or fire on days during the Fire Danger Season that are not Total Fire Ban days.
2. Schedule 10 permit allows for emergency activities or fire on days of Total Fire Ban days.

Officers are required to follow strict CFS requirements. Schedule 10 permits will generally not be issued when the day carries an ‘extreme’ or ‘catastrophic’ rating. Officers will assess the application and undertake an inspection to determine if issuing the permit is warranted and justified, or whether the activity can be postponed to a more suitable day.

In the event a permit is issued, it will carry strict conditions which may include an obligation to undertake certain notifications or implement certain measures to ensure the activity is undertaken safely.