Answers to Questions

Environment, Water and Natural Resources Department Fire Management

In reply to the Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (28 October 2015).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change): The Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation has received this advice:

1. The original prescribed burn commenced on Friday 16 October, but was impacted by light rainfall which prevented the burn from being completed. Subsequent fire activity was observed within the fire boundary on Sunday 18 October, and Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) fire crew decided to complete the burn on Monday 19 October.

2. DEWNR collaborate with the Country Fire Service (CFS) when planning and implementing its prescribed burns program, and the CFS was advised of DEWNR's original intention to carry out the burn and the subsequent decision to burn remaining fuels.

3. CFS was not requested to assist with the prescribed burn.

4. Information about the burn was placed on the DEWNR website which ordinarily triggers information to be automatically transferred to the CFS website. It is not clear why the information did not transfer on this occasion and subsequent testing shows no fault in this system.