Late March onwards is the time when autumn prescribed burns usually start to cross over with vintage, and we encourage all growers to set up systems now to stay abreast of prescribed burns as they are scheduled to occur.
All growers are highly encouraged to subscribe here to receive email updates from National Parks and Wildlife Service SA (NPWSSA) of prescribed burns in chosen regions.
These email updates will provide you with the most relevant and timely information and are more accurate than looking at available web map services.
Vinehealth Australia has received the locations of prescribed burns in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Region from NPWSSA that are scheduled for autumn 2024. Accordingly, we have written to advise all growers whose vineyards are within 3km of each of these burns.
If you do receive a notification of a prescribed burn near you, and you are concerned about potential smoke taint, we urge you to contact NPWSSA directly using the details provided in your correspondence from Vinehealth Australia.
This action will ensure your concerns (e.g., anticipated harvest date, visibility of smoke) are delivered directly to those managing and conducting the burns so that they can consider your situation where possible, discuss the specifics around weather conditions and nature of the vegetation being burnt with you, and monitor the situation knowing where you are located. If you have any concerns thereafter, please reach out to your regional association or Vinehealth Australia.
If you require assistance on how to check the scheduling of a prescribed burn, or if you have a vineyard in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Region but you have not received recent correspondence from Vinehealth Australia and want to check the proximity of your vineyard to a burn ─ please contact Vinehealth Australia’s Technical Assistant Warren Birchmore on 0417 982 970.