The Country Fire Service has announced the early commencement of 2023-24 Fire Danger Season across all sections of the Heysen Trail.
The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) has declared the Fire Danger Season has started early in the Flinders and Mid North district and will start early in the Mount Lofty district.
Many sections of the Heysen Trail are closed during the Fire Danger Season. As the trail passes through several fire ban districts, please note the dates for the following districts:
Flinders district Fire Danger Season commenced on October 16, 2023
The Flinders District covers the Heysen Trail north of Wirrabara (near Laura). Many sections of the trail in this region will be closed until April 15, 2024.
Mid North Fire Danger Season commenced on November 1, 2023.
The Mid North District includes the trail between north of Tanunda and south of Wirrabara. Affected sections of the Heysen Trail between these locations are now closed until
Mount Lofty Fire Ban Season to start on November 15, 2023.
This region covers the southern section of the trail from Cape Jervis through to Tanunda. The closure of affect sections of the trail in that district will commence on November 15 through to April 30, 2024.
Some other sections of the trail remain open over the Fire Danger Season
During the declared fire danger season some sections of the Heysen Trail remain open to walkers. They are principally the sections of the trail that are 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.
Although located in the Mt Lofty district, the Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail between Cape Jervis and Victor Harbor will remain open during the Fire Danger Season. However it will be closed on days of Catastrophic fire danger.
If you want to walk on the trail, check which Fire District you will be in. The Fire Districts and closure dates are listed on the Fire Danger Season page of the Friends website.
We strongly advise you to respect the rights of landholders. Please restrict any activity which may increase the risk of fire in this period.
Details of the Fire Ban Districts can be found Interactive Map on the Friends website.