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Alert SA Website FAQs

Alert SA is the South Australian Government’s official website and app for emergency information. It shows current incidents, warnings, public notices, sandbag locations, and relief centres across South Australia, as well as nearby interstate fire warnings. It is the only government-endorsed public information and warning application for South Australia.

Open a web browser on your computer, tablet, or mobile phone and visit alert.sa.gov.au.

The Alert SA website works on desktop and laptop computers, tablets, and mobile phones.

The Alert SA website shows incidents and warnings for fires, floods, severe weathers, tree downs, hazardous materials, and heatwaves. It also provides information about fire ban districts, total fire bans, how to plan and prepare for an emergency, important contacts, emergency information, ABC Radio frequencies, and other ways to stay informed.

The Alert SA website does not send notifications. To get alerts, download the free Alert SA app on a phone or tablet.

The Alert SA app can be downloaded from the App Store (Apple) or Google Play Store (Android). The app is free to download and does not require a login or sign-up. Alert SA supports the following operating systems:

  • Apple: iOS 16 and above.
  • Android: Android 12 and above.

A warning tells you about a hazard that is happening now or may happen soon.

It explains:

  • What the hazard is
  • How it may affect you
  • What you should do to stay safe

Always follow the advice in a warning to help keep yourself and others safe.

An incident is an accidental or deliberate event that requires a response from one or more emergency services.

If you cannot access the Alert SA app, incidents and warnings can be viewed by visiting the following websites: SA Metropolitan Fire Service Public Information and Warnings, SA Country Fire Service Incidents and Warnings Page or State Emergency Service Incidents and Warnings Page

The Australian Warning System (AWS) is a national approach to information and calls to action for hazards, including those displayed in the Alert SA Website. This system uses a nationally consistent set of icons and colours. The example below demonstrates the symbology used for fire incidents.

Advice (Yellow): An incident has started. There is no immediate danger. Stay up to date in case the situation changes.

Watch and Act (Orange): There is a heightened level of threat. Conditions are changing and you need to start taking action now to protect you and your family.

Emergency Warning (Red): An Emergency Warning is the highest level of warning. You may be in danger and need to take action immediately. Any delay now puts your life at risk.

The symbology in the triangle and associated calls to action will change depending on the hazard, however, the colour of the triangle does not change.

Users can view the Fire Danger Ratings for each Fire Ban District by selecting the ‘Fire Danger Rating’ tab in the website’s top navigation bar.

Fire Danger Ratings describe the potential level of danger should a bushfire start and are calculated using a combination of weather forecasting and information about vegetation that could fuel a fire. For more information about Fire Danger Ratings visit the SA Country Fire Service Incidents and Warnings Page. The Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) uses four easy to recognise rating levels, each with a message to encourage you to take action to protect yourself and others when at risk of bushfire. The rating is an indicator of how dangerous the bushfire could be if it occurs, not a predictor of how likely a bushfire is to start. For more information about the AFDRS visit: https://afdrs.com.au/ .

The Alert SA app displays cross-border notifications for fire warnings within 100km of each border around South Australia. Your Watch Zone must extend across the border to receive cross-border notifications.

In response to severe weather or flooding events, the South Australian State Emergency Service (SES) may decide to establish sandbag locations where individuals can obtain free sand and/or hessian bags to prepare properties.

Relief and Recovery Centres are established by the state government during major emergencies to support affected communities. These centres may offer services such as:

  • Emergency accommodation options
  • Grants
  • Information and advice
  • Emotional and practical support

When a centre is opened, the Alert SA app will display its location, operating hours, and the services available. Keep an eye on the app for updates specific to your area during an emergency.

The Text-Only Version displays the same emergency information as the Alert SA website in a simple text format without maps, images, or other visual elements.

You can view incidents, warnings, Fire Danger Ratings, Total Fire Bans, public notices, sandbag locations, relief centres, and other emergency information. It works on computers, tablets, and mobile phones, does not require a login, and is designed to support accessibility needs.