NEWS RELEASE 13/12/13 Prescribed burn in Giles Conservation Park MEDIA CONTACT A prescribed burn is planned at Giles Conservation Park in the Adelaide Mount Lofty Ranges for Friday, 13 December 2013, weather conditions permitting. • • • • • • The prescribed burn will start at 11am and should be completed by 8pm. The burn will affect about 26ha on the northern area the park, off Old Norton Summit Road, Horsnell Gully. Old Norton Summit Road and Woods Hill Road may be impacted by smoke, depending on wind direction. Smoke may impact on the suburb of Norton Summit. Smoke may also be visible into Saturday. Crews will be onsite until it is safe to leave. Some traffic restrictions may be in place on roads in the area, while the burn is undertaken. The park will not be closed but access restrictions will apply on walking trails and fire access tracks in the area, including Ridge Track, the Heysen Trail and Yurrebilla Trail through Giles Conservation Park. Signs will be erected at key areas near the burn to advise the community. The burn will be carried out by the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) on behalf of the Mount Lofty Ranges Fire Co-operative. The primary objective of this burn is to reduce fuels in the area to prevent the spread of bushfire and is part of a state-wide program of prescribed burning in high-risk public land areas this spring. 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. Hayden Ryan Media Adviser Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Phone (08) 8463 4445 Mobile 0417 322 462 Email hayden.ryan@sa.gov.au www.environment.sa.gov.au www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au