Bushfire Risk in Penneshaw, SA: 2026 Assessment

Penneshaw, South Australia· UNKNOWN
The area around Penneshaw has a notable bushfire risk due to the presence of surrounding scrubland and forests. Hot, dry summers increase the likelihood of bushfires.Updated 1 Apr 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

6.0/10

The area around Penneshaw has a notable bushfire risk due to the presence of surrounding scrubland and forests. Hot, dry summers increase the likelihood of bushfires.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
The area around Penneshaw has a notable bushfire risk due to the presence of surrounding scrubland and forests. Hot, dry summers increase the likelihood of bushfires.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Penneshaw, SA
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
5222
Highest high-risk exposure
7% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Penneshaw, South Australia, has a the area around penneshaw has a notable bushfire risk due to the presence of surrounding scrubland and forests. hot, dry summers increase the likelihood of bushfires. 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.

Check the CFS website for current fire danger ratings.

CSIRO research indicates climate change is extending fire seasons and increasing the number of severe fire weather days across southern and eastern Australia. For Penneshaw, 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 Penneshaw including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.

Penneshaw sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 7% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 85.5% 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 Penneshaw.

Penneshaw (postcode 5222) 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 (7% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (6.8% of land in high-risk zones), extreme wind (4.3% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Penneshaw — 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 scrubland
BAL Overlay / ZoneCFS Bushfire Prone Area Map
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2019
Major

Bushfires on Kangaroo Island significantly impacted the region, though Penneshaw was not directly impacted, smoke and ash were present.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Coastal Protection Measures

Near-term

Implement coastal protection measures such as seawalls and dune restoration to mitigate the impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion.

Est. cost: High

Bushfire Preparedness Planning

Immediate

Develop and implement comprehensive bushfire preparedness plans, including community education programs and fuel reduction strategies.

Est. cost: Medium

Heatwave Early Warning System

Near-term

Establish a heatwave early warning system to alert residents of impending heatwave events and provide guidance on how to stay safe.

Est. cost: Low

Water Conservation Strategies

Long-term

Implement water conservation strategies to address potential water shortages due to climate change.

Est. cost: Medium

Community Resilience Programs

Long-term

Develop community resilience programs to help residents cope with the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events and displacement.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Kangaroo Island Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 1 April 2026

Explore Penneshaw Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Penneshaw in a bushfire prone area?

Parts of Penneshaw may be designated as bushfire prone land. Based on available data, Penneshaw 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 Penneshaw?

BAL ratings in Penneshaw 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 Penneshaw?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Penneshaw 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 Penneshaw?

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 Penneshaw is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 7% of Penneshaw in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 85.5% 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 Penneshaw Safe from Climate Risk?

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

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

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