NEWS RELEASE Prescribed burn at Kellidie Bay Conservation Park A prescribed burn is planned at Kellidie Bay Conservation Park east of Coffin Bay for Tuesday, 22 April 2014, weather conditions permitting. • • • • • • The prescribed burn will start at midday and should be complete by the next day. It will affect about 24ha in the northern section of the reserve. A significant smoke column will be produced during this burn. This is normal for burns of this size. The northern section of the park will be closed during the burn, as will the Oyster Walking Track through this section of the park. Some smoke may affect neighbours and traffic on Coffin Bay Road, however conditions have been chosen to minimise the impact on adjoining properties. Signs will be placed on the Coffin Bay Road to inform drivers of the burn. Drivers should be aware of and give way to emergency vehicles. The burn will be carried out by the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) and Country Fire Service (CFS). As the burn will produce considerable smoke, it would be prudent to remove washing from the clothes line 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. The primary objective of this burn is to reduce fuels in the area to prevent the spread of bushfire. It is part of a state-wide program of prescribed burning in highrisk public land areas this autumn. The burning of this 24ha will compliment another burn of 40ha to be undertaken in the near future on the southern side of Coffin Bay Road. The objective of the burn is to create a fuel reduced buffer, to limit the impact of bushfires on the Coffin Bay Township and is part of a state-wide program of prescribed burning in high-risk public land areas this autumn. While prescribed burning contributes in the protection of life and property, fuel reduction burning by itself is not the answer to fire prevention. 17/04/14 MEDIA CONTACT Georgia Gowing Senior Media Adviser Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Phone (08) 8204 9105 Mobile 0467 795 640 Email [email protected] www.environment.sa.gov.au www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au NEWS RELEASE It is only one part of limiting the impact of bushfire on the community. Owner preparation remains the key to preventing property loss. Creating strategically-located, fuel-reduced areas through prescribed burning is essential in helping to reduce the potential spread and impact of bushfires on communities and the environment by providing earlier containment options for firefighters. A list of the week’s planned burns is available on the DEWNR website, at www.environment.sa.gov.au/firemanagement/Burns_and_bushfires. Prescribed burns will only be carried out when it is deemed safe to do so and may be cancelled at short notice. Fire crews will remain on site until safe to leave. 17/04/14