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The Fire Danger Period (FDP) will commence at 1am on Monday, 16 November 2026 for the Glenelg Shire Council.
Residents are encouraged to use the remaining time before the FDP begins to prepare their properties by cleaning up dry grass, leaves and other flammable material and complete any planned private burn-offs while conditions and regulations allow.
CFA District 4 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Andrew Barry said the declaration has been made due to the extremely dry conditions being experienced across the district, particularly within forested areas and plantations.
“The three-month rainfall deficit for much of the Glenelg Shire has been its lowest on record, and that has significantly depleted our soil moisture, elevating the risk of fire ignition and spread,” Andew said.
“While the grass continues to look green on top, there is lack of moisture underneath – otherwise known as the green drought. This means the grass is rapidly drying due to the warmer temperatures and stronger winds we are experiencing, which in turn makes it finer and more available to burn.
“The combination of an early start to the fire season, dry fuels, below-average rainfall and the potential for prolonged dry conditions significantly increases the likelihood of large, fast-moving and difficult to control bushfires across the district.”
Andrew said declaring the FDP early will help reduce the likelihood of uncontrolled fire from escaped burn-offs during upcoming challenging conditions of north to north-westerly winds that are often experienced during late spring and early summer.
“Now is the time to safely complete those last-minute clean up jobs around your property and make sure your bushfire plan is up to date and that your family is across is,” Andrew said.
