Just the pure amount of people in one location increases the fire risk. i beleive huge amounts of planning went in to today re having appliances on standby at strategic locations!
Media put this out this morning:
"South Australia?s fire and emergency services personnel will be at a heightened level of response today, Friday 22 January 2010, with Extreme fire danger ratings forecast for the Mount Lofty Ranges, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Flinders and Yorke Peninsula as well as Catastrophic fire danger ratings forecast for the Murraylands, Mid North and Riverland.
Some of these fire danger ratings will impact parts of the Santos Tour Down Under and the Mutual Community Challenge cycling event. This means an increase risk to the community with cyclists travelling through the Murraylands as well as the Mount Lofty Ranges, from Cudlee Creek through Lenswood, Woodside, Mount Barker, Strathalbyn, Langhorne Creek and Milang, ending up at Goolwa.
Due to the forecast fire danger rating of Extreme for the Mount Lofty Ranges, the CFS has pre-planned fire stations along the route as well as pre-positioned resources, including aircraft, at strategic locations to provide immediate fire coverage. The additional resources are in anticipation of the large crowds expected in the area ? likely to be in excess of 25,000 people.
If you are planning to head to the race as a spectator, or are a resident of one of these areas, please take the following precautions:
- Take extreme care on the roads as there will be traffic congestion and road blocks
- Familiarise yourself with road closures in the area
- Residents in areas of Total Fire Bans should activate your Bushfire Survival Plan.
It is also important to remember that on days of total fire ban:
- The lighting of barbecues is not permitted
- Vehicles should be parked away from high-grass areas, as exhaust pipes can start a fire
- Care should be taken to properly extinguish and dispose of all smoking materials.
Please consider your movement and actions as a spectator or a rider. Ultimately if you do not feel comfortable to enter the area or are concerned about your safety, it may be best not to attend, and to instead watch the Tour from your television at home, or from a safer place.
Stay tuned to ABC or FIVEaa radio for updates on any going incidents. For further information on incidents or bushfire safety, visit the CFS website
www.cfs.sa.gov.au or call the Bushfire Information Hotline on 1300 362 361. As always, in the event of an emergency call Triple Zero.
Please enjoy the day, but most importantly, remain safe."
