THE Country Fire Service is urging property owners to consider weather conditions before burning off rubbish or vegetation to reduce fuel loads ahead of the fire danger season.
This follows several fires in recent weeks that have burnt beyond their intended area and in one case spreading to a shed that was destroyed.
Region 3 bushfire prevention officer Andrew Patten said CFS crews had responded to two fires last week, with one of them at Monash spreading to a shed causing around $10,000 damage.
"People are doing the right thing by burning rubbish and reducing fuel loads on their properties but they also need to check the weather forecast before conducting these burns," Mr Patten said.
"A burn can easily get out of control unless it's carefully planned and various steps are followed including supervising it at all times and making sure it's carried out with extreme caution at the right time, including checking that the burn is fully extinguished and cold."
Mr Patten said that outside of the fire danger seasonlandholders needed to be aware of their local council's code of practice for burning-off and follow their guidelines.
"Some councils have environmental restrictions for burning-off so it's important for property owners to check with their council if any restrictions apply in their local area," he said.
He also advised anyone lighting a campfire to make sure it was not left burning and was fully extinguished when the site was abandoned.
"It is also preferable for a campfire to be ignited on a site where one has been previously lit and to maintain a clearance of at least 4m from any vegetation," Mr Patten said.
For more information about burn-offs visit the CFS website at www.cfs.sa.gov.au/site/bushfire/prepare/faring/burning_off.jsp.
For up-to-date weather information visit the Bureau of Meteorology website www.bom.gov.au/sa.
