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Fire fighting capacity concern in SA

The Grant District Council is concerned about fire management in forestry plantations in lower south-east South Australia. Source: ABC News

Forestry SA is in charge of operating a fleet of purpose-built vehicles to fight fires in high-density forests. However, the council says Forestry SA has reduced the number of firefighters required to crew the vehicles this season.

Mayor Richard Sage said it will raise its concerns with the State Government to ensure the region is properly prepared to tackle bushfires.

“We don’t want it to be eroded any further, we would like to see it go back to what was promised,” he said.

“The Minister, when they decided to forward sell the forestry, they said that they would maintain their public commitment to fire safety, they would back up the CFS [Country Fire Service] and it would be business as usual.”

Forestry SA said its firefighting capacities this season will remain unchanged.