The best way to prepare for days of elevated fire danger is by completing a Bushfire Survival Plan. Go to the CFS website to learn more about creating your Bushfire Survival Plan.

When there is a dangerous fire, warning messages are broadcast on local radio and are available on the CFS website and Facebook page. For further information, you can also contact the Bushfire Information Hotline on 1800 362 361.

• The worst conditions for a bush or grass fire
• If a fire starts and takes hold, it will be extremely difficult to control. It will take significant fire-fighting resources and cooler conditions to bring it under control
• Spot fire will start well ahead of the main fire and cause rapid spread of the fire. Embers will come from many directions
• Homes are not designed or constructed to withstand fires in these conditions
• The safest place to be is away from bushfire prone areas

On Catastrophic fire danger days

On Catastrophic fire danger days you need to act now. You should:

• Enact your Bushfire Survival Plan
• Put your survival first and leave bushfire-prone areas the night before or early in the day – this is your safest option.
• Act immediately – do not wait and see.
• Avoid forested areas, thick bush or long, dry grass.
• Prepare, know and practise a plan for:
  • When you will leave
  • How you will get there
  • What you will do if you cannot leave
  • Where you will go
  • When you will return
  • Prepare for loss of electricity
  • Make sure your car has petrol
  • Prepare an emergency kit including an alternative source of power for radios and torches, and to keep mobile phones fully charged
  • Identify and provide additional care for family, friends and neighbours, especially the vulnerable – including infants, children, elderly, the sick and animals.

Bushfire Safer Places

Bushfire Safer Places are suitable for use during bad fire weather or during bushfire. They are built up areas that have:

• lots of buildings that can provide protection
• roads that provide fuel breaks and multiple access points
• dispersed vegetation, such as short grass and maintained landscaping, that makes the spread of fire more difficult.

The CFS classifies the township of Victor Harbor as a Bushfire Safer Place. Properties outside of the township face a higher level of risk compared with those nearer to the centre of the area.

Visit the CFS website to understand where to relocate on the days of Severe, Extreme and Catastrophic Fire Danger.

The Morgan Park Trotting Track (Lipizzaner Drive, Victor Harbor) is a Bushfire Last Resort Refuge. The use of a Bushfire Last Resort Refuge is not recommended and should only be used if your plan has failed and you cannot reach a Bushfire Safer Place.

Further information

In an emergency, dial 000 or teletype 106.

For more information about what to do during Fire Danger Season, contact the Bushfire Information Hotline on 1800 362 361. For hearing or speech impaired users, phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 1800 362 361.

Or visit the CFS website.

Check out the CFS Facebook page.