RENMARK’S Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) has warned Riverland residents that burning off under power lines is not safe or advised under any circumstances.
Despite fire danger season concluding on April 30, residents are still required to hold a permit for any open burns under section 34 of the Environment Protection Act 1993.
Those caught burning without a permit can be fined $300 by council compliance staff or South Australia police.
MFS regional commander Garrick Lehmann said since coming to the Riverland, he had noticed burn offs were a frequent occurrence in the catchment area, particularly under power lines.
He implored people to stick to burn-off recommendations.
“It’s quite dangerous because the power can actually arch down to the ground,” Mr Lehmann said.
“It can also then trip the electricity, so the power gets cut off.
“The message is to look up and have your four metre clearances as well.”
Burning in the open is a common practice to reduce the risk of bushfires, manage agricultural land, and to dispose of agricultural and forestry wastes.
However, Mr Lehmann said the MFS has had issues in the past with people commencing unsafe or hazardous open burns.
“The previous (MFS regional) commander had raised the issue quite a few times, and myself also, (I have seen burn-offs) just driving around,” he said.
Mr Lehmann said he would lead the MFS’s correspondence with Riverland councils and relevant stakeholders to address and raise awareness of the issue in the near future.
Residents are urged to contact their local council if a permit is required, if they need to use an open fire during fire danger season or on a day of total fire ban, or if they have any questions regarding open burning.