The South Australian Country Fire Service is urging communities to remain vigilant after the end of the Fire Danger Season, as dry fuel loads and minimal rainfall continue to pose bushfire risks.

The Season officially ended across all the state on 30 April, but the CFS warns bushfires can happen at any time, often when they’re least expected.

While 55 fires occurred on the 23 listed Total Fire Ban days since September, the vast majority of fires occurred on days with only Moderate or High fire danger ratings.

This includes last week’s blaze near Meningie that destroyed over 530 hectares and came within a few metres of a home. 

CFS crews were kept very busy throughout the Fire Danger Season, attending 1340 rural fire incidents, which equated to in excess of 100,000 hours helping their communities.

Fires of note included the weekend’s bushfires in the lower and central Eyre Peninsula, the APY Lands 400,000-hectare fire, and recent fires in Naracoorte and Malinong.

CFS Chief Officer Brett Loughlin says the fact that not a single house or structure was lost to a rural fire during the Fire Danger Season is a truly incredible result and one that the state’s largest volunteer agency should be proud of.

“There are very few seasons in my 20 years of firefighting that I can recall achieving such a result.” 

Chief Officer Loughlin says the outcome wasn’t due to luck or calmer than expected conditions and instead the professional training of CFS volunteers, increased aviation resources, and support from partner agencies enabled firefighters to get the upper hand.

“We actually had one of the driest springs in years and, despite the weather conditions, volunteers dealt with whatever was thrown at them.”

CFS aerial resources were bolstered this season with five new aircraft - including Black Hawk helicopters, placed strategically at fire risk regions.

Emergency Services Minister Dan Cregan has stressed the importance of remaining vigilant over the coming weeks due to the dry conditions and dry fuel loads across much of the state.

“We urge anyone conducting burn offs to ensure all precautions are taken, and contingency plans are in place to manage the fire should it get out of control,” he says.

“The message remains the same, plan and prepare for bushfires – especially if you live, work or travel through a regional or rural location.”