Walkers are asked to observe extension of the fire danger season.
Closure of the Heysen Trail between Cape Jervis & Tanunda extended until 13 May 2019.
The Country Fire Service (CFS) has extended the Fire Danger Season for the Mount Lofty Ranges. This is due to lower than average rainfalls combined with higher than average temperatures.
This means that most sections of the Heysen Trail south of Tanunda will not be open until May 13, 2019.
There is also a 4-day closure in Deep Creek Conservation Park that will extend the opening of the Heysen Trail in the park to May 17, 2019 – this closure is from May 13 to 12.00am Friday 17 May, 2019 and is to protect public safety during an Aerial feral animal control program.
You are required to defer walks in these areas until further notice. You can find information about the extension of the fire danger season in the Mt Lofty Ranges District on the CFS website.
Mid North District Fire Danger Season to end after 30 April 30 2019.
The CFS has confirmed that fire restrictions affecting the section of the trail north of Tanunda and south of the Wirrabara Forest will be lifted on May 1 2019.
Flinders Fire Danger Season continues through to 15 April 2019.
Fire restrictions in the Flinders District continue until April 15 2019. This means that walkers will be able to use the Heysen Trail north of Wirrabara Forest on 16 April 2019 .
This section includes Melrose, Wilmington, Quorn, Hawker, Wilpena Pound, the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park through to the northern end of the trail at Parachilna Gorge.
Limited access to the Heysen Trail continues through the Fire Danger Season
Some sections of the Heysen Trail may still be open to walkers prior to the cessation of the fire danger periods.
The sections that remain open are principally those not on private land. These include public roads, Conservation Parks and Reserves, Forests and vacant land.
Please note that Conservation Parks and Reserves and Forests are closed on days of Total Fire Ban. The CFS publishes these bans, as does the Bureau of Meteorology. In addition, the media also broadcast weather reports including fire ban information.
As a result, if you want to walk on the trail, check which Fire District you will be in. The Fire Districts are listed on the Fire Danger Season page of the Friends website and on the Interactive Map.
We strongly advise you to respect the rights of landholders. Please restrict any activity which may increase the risk of fire in this period and potentially inhibit continued walker access to the trail.