Adelaide Fire Danger Rating and Total Fire Bans
Bushfires can be unpredictable and deadly, therefore as trail runners, it is imperative we check the Fire Danger Rating on the Country Fire Service (CFS) website before hitting the trails.
The fire danger season generally runs from November through to April, but these dates can vary due to weather conditions. The Fire Danger Rating and whether there is a Total Fire Ban is declared for Adelaide Metropolitan area and/or the Mount Lofty Ranges is determined by the CFS in conjunction with the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
As well as checking the CFS website, some of the information below might be useful to know.
All Forestry SA land is closed during declared Total Fire Ban days. Areas are patrolled and fines may apply if you are caught on Forestry SA land on a Total Fire Ban day. Locations of Forestry SA land (in close proximity to Adelaide) include Mt Crawford Forest, Kuitpo Forest and Second Valley Forest.
All Department of Environment (DEW) National Parks are open on Total Fire Ban days UNLESS the Fire Danger Rating is Catastrophic. Note that the Mt Lofty and Metropolitan ratings may be different. Some of the more popular national parks for trail runners include Black Hill Conservation Park, O’Halloran Hill, Cobbler Creek Recreation Park, Anstey Hill Recreation Park, Cleland National Park, Brown Hill Creek Conservation Park, Belair National Park, Shepherds Hill Recreation Park, Para Wirra Conservation Park, Sturt Gorge Recreation Park and Onkaparinga River National Park.
All Reservoirs SA land is closed during a Total Fire Ban regardless of Fire Danger Rating. Some of the reservoirs that are popular for trail runners include Warren, South Para, Happy Valley and Myponga Reservoirs.
If you see a fire, or you find yourself caught in the vicinity of a fire – call 000
