Fire Warnings

[Maz]

Fire service warns over bushfire risk

South Australia's Country Fire Service (CFS) is asking land owners to take extra care with burn-offs on their properties today.
The warning has been prompted by hot and windy weather in many parts of the State, which increases the risk of fires spreading.
CFS spokeswoman Krista St John says people on the south coast, Kangaroo Island, West Coast and parts of the Yorke Peninsula should be particularly careful.
"The fresh winds can cause embers from any burn-off to go into scrubby areas or forest areas, which are particularly dry at the moment and cause large bushfires," she said.
"We're just asking people who are going to be doing any burn-offs just to take a bit of extra care, to really monitor the weather conditions when they're doing a burn-off and if it's starting to look a little gusty, maybe just to hold off."
Ms St John says some locations are more vulnerable than others.
"Many parts of the Mt Lofty ranges and also the south-east of the state are fairly heavily forested and are fairly dry at the moment, so they're the main areas of concern," she said.

[Crispin]

Murray Bridge is also very dry at the moment, the dry grass combined with my pyromania could be a problem....

[Maz]

Australian bushfire season makes early start
24 Sep 2006 14:04:43 GMT
Source: Reuters




(Updates damage, adds commissioner comment) MELBOURNE, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Fires fanned by winds of up to 110 kph (66 mph) destroyed seven homes near Sydney as the bushfire season started early in eastern Australia, fire services said on Sunday. Several fires burned in New South Wales state as temperatures soared above 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit). The outbreaks followed the driest August since records began in 1900, triggering an early start to the blazes that scorch the country every summer. "It's on the cards that we could see a difficult season," said Bureau of Meteorology spokesman Robert Webb. The southern summer runs from December through February.

[Dot]

I lived thru one of those bad fires that cleared out a large section of homes. Real scarry when the fire jumped to our side of the street on the street just above ours. We were so lucky that the wind turned in time.I feel sorry for thosewho aren`t so lucky.
Pays to be extra careful, especially during the dryer periods.

[Maz]

Early bushfires a warning to all: CFS

September 26, 2006 09:33am

Article from: AAP
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SOUTH Australia is coming out of the driest winter on record, leaving firefighters worried about the potential for wild scrub and forest blazes.
Bushfires in New South Wales should serve as a warning that fires could strike anywhere, at any time, South Australia's Country Fire Service (CFS) says.
Up to 55 fires swept across NSW at the weekend, destroying at least seven homes in what was an early start to the bushfire season.
CFS deputy chief officer Andrew Lawson today said those blazes should send a clear message to other people to be ready.
"We're coming out of the driest winter on record and there is the potential for a very active fire season in South Australia," Mr Lawson said.
"At present our primary areas of concern are heavily forested areas and areas of thick scrub where the soil dryness indices are above average.
"Despite all of this, there are some areas in the state, including parts of the Mount Lofty Ranges, which are still fairly green, but a few hot days will see this change ? quickly."
Mr Lawson said the CFS and regional bushfire committees were continually monitoring the fuel situation across the state.
"We are keeping a close watch on the vegetation dryness, soil dryness and the general conditions," he said.
"We are also talking to the Bureau of Meteorology on a regular basis to check on their predictions for the coming summer."
The CFS said all property owners in bushfire areas should be making preparations for the fire season.



BE PREPARED!!!!

[Fi_]

sadly I think that we are long over due for a huge bushfire.

[Maz]

I think you are right Fi.

[Maz]

How to Develop an Emergency Plan

Take sensible precautions

• Make sure your home and workplace are prepared for hazards and emergencies. Refer to appropriate information and action guides .
  
• Check that you have adequate household and contents insurance and which hazards are not covered by it.
  
• Find out how and where to turn off power, gas and water supplies.
  
• Store important documents (eg wills, passports, photos, birth certificates) in a fire/water-proof container or safe deposit box.
  
• Prepare an emergency survival kit and keep it handy.
  
• Keep a list of emergency telephone numbers near the phone eg Police, Fire, Ambulance, State/Territory Emergency Service, Local Council, and Other - gas, electricity, relative.

Involve the family

• Household members will need to agree on, and share essential tasks (eg contacting each other if not home, collecting school children and checking on elderly neighbours).
  
• Arrange an out-of-town friend or relative to be a single contact point (in case people are separated before or during a widespread emergency).

Find out about existing plans

• Schools and large buildings should have plans in place for emergency evacuations.
  
• Local authorities may also have plans affecting whole streets or areas.

Be prepared for evacuation
In some emergencies the safest action is to stay inside. But in other emergencies it can be safer to leave a building or evacuate an entire area. The appropriate action depends on the particular hazard causing the emergency. Consult the relevant information and action guides, and follow advice from emergency authorities.

• When evacuating a building, it is important to agree in advance on a gathering place at a safe distance. Practise evacuation procedures, including a head count. Large buildings should have evacuation plans in place.
  
• If you decide or are advised to evacuate the area, leave as early as possible - even hours before, in the case of bushfires. It may be safer to stay with your home, provided you are well prepared.
  
• Allow for special needs of infants, the aged and people with disabilities.
  
• Don't forget your pets' needs.
  
• Have your car under cover, with a full fuel tank, and plan for alternative safe routes.

Three golden rules if you leave

• Turn off power, gas, water; lock doors and windows.
  
• Take your emergency survival kit with you.
  
• Listen for emergency warnings and safety advice on radio or television. Pay special attention if you hear the Standard Emergency Warning Signal

For more info........
http://www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/native/fire/index.html

[SEANSTAR]

Ok here's my next beef, LAWYERS.......

We all know the tragic bush fires that took so many lives on the Eyre Peninsula 3 years ago, have been found by the Deputy State Corner to have been miss handled by the CFS.

BIG DEAL, this is predominately a volunteer organisation with a few paid staff here and there. Yet the lawyers have taken their hands out of their very deep pockets so they can stuff some more cash in, and gain some Media exposure whilst they are at it. They have found someone at fault and they want them to pay. .. . . .. but at what cost?

How will a multi million dollar law suite help the CFS do a better job at saving lives and property, will the increased insurance premiums help them buy new trucks ..... no, will a large pay out help them recruit more volunteers.... no, will the legal fee's and court costs provide the fire persons (for those of you who don't know a lot of women make up the CFS ranks) with better equipment for their own safety and fire fighting ...no.

So what does a law suite like this one achieve, it makes lawyers rich and will give a few people who suffered some tragic losses a payout. Will the money bring their loved ones back no, will it rebuild farms,buy new livestock,cars,trucks, tractors and plasma TV's yes.

Will it mean the next time a bush fire is engulfing their farm or home a truck load of CFS volunteers will turn up and try to help, most likely yes, unless of course the CFS has to cut back and of course were would you cut back if you had too? Less populated regions like the Eyre Peninsula!

So to all you people thinking of taking the CFS to court, I am truly sorry for the losses you have suffered and I know nothing can ever bring your loved ones back. But maybe just maybe your actions may result in other people losing their loved ones and firefighters losing their lives. Is that what your loved ones would have wanted ? for more pain and suffering to be experienced by the community.

So take heart that reasons have been found and changes have been made, fire is not a predictable beast, because it behaved this way 3 years ago does not mean it will do the same tomorrow, more mistakes will be made and more lives lost but if 1 life is saved from what has been learnt from this tragedy, then the loss of your loved ones has not be in vain.

[Blue Bell]

I agree whole heartedly with your comments SS.
If more people took more responsibility for their own actions instead of always looking for someone else to blame there would be a lot less court action.
While I too am saddened by the loss of life these fires caused sueing the CFS is not going to bring back the loved ones.
Members of my family were affected by these fires, they lost all their out buildings and fences, etc. but not their home. Why not their home? Because they had heeded all the warnings of the CFS, they were prepared for the fire. Are they sueing the CFS "NO".