CFS says state's busy fire season ends CFS firefighters Neil Gloyn, Jack Gloyn, Owen Jones and Jim Brock celebrate the end of the fire season. HILLS CFS brigades are catching their breath after a busy fire season. The Sturt CFS group was called to 63 bushfires in the season that ended last week (April 30), compared with 38 in 2011/12. Blackwood CFS attended 16 fires - twice as many as last year - and Belair went to 11 blazes after fighting nine in the previous summer. "It isn't just about how many fires we attend, but also the amount of time spent on each of these incidents," Belair captain Mark Brookssaid. For us, this season has leaned towards an average to quiet year, compared to last fire danger season. Statewide figures reflected a similar rising trend, with volunteer brigades fighting about 2100 fires compared with 1600 in 2011/12. "Certainly the risk right across the state in the season we just finished has been at an increased level due to the abundant growth and the rain that we had during last year," CFS acting chief officer Rob Sandford said. We've seen an increase in the numbers but we haven't seen widespread damage. The CFS urged Hills residents to start preparing for next summer now. Blackwood CFS captain Darren Cock said it was never too early to get ready. "It can be as simple as trimming back overhanging trees and making sure grass is maintained during winter," he said.