Notice of Marion Bay Prescribed Burn

A 9 hectare prescribed burn postponed last year due to COVID-19 restrictions is again planned to reduce fuel loads in thick scrub on the west side of Marion Bay between Lowan Drive and Willyama Drive (see attached map). The burn will be conducted during mid-March to late April 2021 with the actual day selected being subject to suitable weather conditions.

Yorke Peninsula Council (YPC) in conjunction with the Country Fire Service (CFS) and Department for Environment and Water (DEW) initiated planning for the burn in August 2019 following a concern raised by residents. A public meeting was held at the initial planning stages to discuss the proposed burn as well as notification to residents via the Progress Association Facebook page and a letter from Council to property owners in the vicinity.

The burn will be advertised on local radio and via the DEW prescribed burn notifications page at www.environment.sa.gov.au. Council’s website and Facebook page will also advertise the burn once the date is finalised.

The purpose of this burn is to create a fuel reduced area to limit the spread and impact of bushfire toward Marion Bay from the west. Fuel loads in the area are currently very high to extreme and the consequence of a bushfire would be devastating. The burn will be conducted by DEW and CFS crews. Considerable resources will be involved in conducting the burn. DEW crews will patrol the burn until it is declared safe.

Easterly weather conditions will be chosen to manage the fire away from houses and limit the impact of smoke. Please note this fire will produce a significant amount of smoke – this is normal for burns in thick coastal heath vegetation. Smoke may be visible from within the burn ground for a few days afterwards. DEW crews will patrol the burn until it is declared safe.

On the day of the burn please remove any washing from your clothesline and ensure that all doors and windows remain closed for the duration. Please take adequate precautions to ensure the wellbeing of any member of your household with a medical condition that may be aggravated by smoke (e.g. Asthma).

Ash from the fire ground may be an issue for nearby properties during windy conditions until it rains. It may be prudent to disconnect your down pipes until the first few mm of rain has fallen to avoid any impact on water supplies.

Please remember that what Council, DEW and the CFS do, may assist to limit the impact of bushfire however it’s what you do that makes the biggest difference toward protecting your property and family. For more information on fire safety and fire prevention please visit the CFS website www.cfs.sa.gov.au.

For further information on DEW prescribed burn planning and operations please visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY2CftnD5mk