📮 Clarendon postcode: 5157

Bushfire Risk in Clarendon, SA: 2026 Assessment

Clarendon, South Australia· Onkaparinga· 5157
Clarendon has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to the Adelaide Hills and surrounding bushland. Dry vegetation and strong winds create conditions conducive to bushfires, posing a threat to properties and infrastructure.Updated 15 Mar 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

6.0/10

Clarendon has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to the Adelaide Hills and surrounding bushland. Dry vegetation and strong winds create conditions conducive to bushfires, posing a threat to properties and infrastructure.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Clarendon has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to the Adelaide Hills and surrounding bushland. Dry vegetation and strong winds create conditions conducive to bushfires, posing a threat to properties and infrastructure.
Trend
stable
Suburb
Clarendon, SA
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
5157
Highest high-risk exposure
17.1% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Clarendon, South Australia, has a clarendon has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to the adelaide hills and surrounding bushland. dry vegetation and strong winds create conditions conducive to bushfires, posing a threat to properties and infrastructure. bushfire risk profile. Key factors include distance to classified bushland, vegetation type, slope, and historical bushfire activity in the region. The South Australia fire authority maps bushfire-prone areas and assigns BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) ratings.

The CFS provides resources and guidance for residents in bushfire-prone areas.

CSIRO research indicates climate change is extending fire seasons and increasing the number of severe fire weather days across southern and eastern Australia. For Clarendon, this may mean shifts in bushfire risk levels over the coming decades, making property-level BAL assessment increasingly important.

Use ClimateNest for a complete address-level bushfire risk report for Clarendon including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.

Clarendon sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 17.1% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 68.7% in moderate-risk zones, based on the national hazard overlay. Exposure at this scale varies street by street, which is why an address-level check matters before you buy or insure a specific property in Clarendon.

Clarendon (postcode 5157) is tracked in ClimateNest's suburb hazard model, which maps the share of the suburb's land exposed to each hazard at high and moderate levels. The suburb's highest high-risk exposures are bushfire (17.1% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (5.3% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (3.7% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Clarendon — individual properties can sit well above or below these averages, so an address-level check is recommended before buying, selling or insuring.

Local Hazard Evidence

Distance to BushlandAdjacent to large areas of native bushland.
BAL Overlay / ZoneCFS Bushfire Prone Area Overlay
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2019
Moderate

A bushfire near Clarendon threatened properties and required emergency response.

1983
Catastrophic

The Ash Wednesday bushfires had a devastating impact on the Adelaide Hills region, including areas near Clarendon.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Develop a community bushfire plan

Immediate

Create a plan that outlines evacuation routes, communication strategies, and property protection measures.

Est. cost: Low

Improve flood management infrastructure

Near-term

Upgrade drainage systems and construct flood barriers to protect properties near the Onkaparinga River.

Est. cost: Medium

Implement a heatwave response plan

Immediate

Establish cooling centers and provide support to vulnerable residents during heatwave events.

Est. cost: Low

Promote water conservation

Long-term

Encourage residents to reduce water consumption and implement water-efficient landscaping practices.

Est. cost: Low

Support local farmers in adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices

Near-term

Provide resources and training to help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns and reduce their environmental impact.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Onkaparinga City Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 15 March 2026

Explore Clarendon Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clarendon in a bushfire prone area?

Parts of Clarendon may be designated as bushfire prone land. Based on available data, Clarendon has a notable bushfire risk. Check your specific property for BAL ratings through ClimateNest or your local council.

What BAL rating applies to properties in Clarendon?

BAL ratings in Clarendon depend on the property's distance from classified vegetation, vegetation type, and slope. A site-specific assessment under AS 3959 is required to determine the exact BAL rating for any property within the suburb.

Does bushfire risk affect insurance in Clarendon?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Clarendon may face higher building insurance premiums. Insurers assess bushfire risk based on BAL rating, fire history, and proximity to bushland. Some insurers may restrict cover in very high-risk locations.

What bushfire mitigation measures help protect homes in Clarendon?

Effective bushfire mitigation includes maintaining cleared asset protection zones, using ember-proof mesh on vents, installing metal gutter guards, using non-combustible building materials, and maintaining defendable space. Consult the South Australia fire authority for property-specific guidance.

What share of Clarendon is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 17.1% of Clarendon in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 68.7% in moderate-risk zones. Suburb-level exposure is not uniform — individual properties can differ from these averages, so an address-level check is recommended.

Is Clarendon Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Clarendon, South Australia, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

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What A$69 could save you from

$7.2B
2022 insured disaster losses*
$300B+
climate risk to property by 2050*
30-120%
insurance premium increases in high-risk areas*

*Industry sources: ICA, APRA, RBA

Full report from A$69 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections