Incident STATE-WIDE INCIDENT UPDATESTATE-WIDE INCIDENT UPDATE
4:30 PM 23 December 2005
While more than 110 SA Country Fire Service volunteer firefighters are still battling a blaze at Burra today in the State’s Mid North, another fire has been reported at Hawker near the Flinders Ranges.
The fire was called in around 2pm and is burning along Willow Waters Road near Hawker.
The fire is travelling in a North Easterly direction towards Warcowie Road and has burnt about 160 hectares.
More than 30 personnel from the CFS and the Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH) are currently at the scene.
The CFS has issued a bushfire information message to alert those in the area.
Meanwhile, more than 120 CFS volunteers continue to battle the blaze at Burra, which has burnt more than 1000 hectares.
Arcing power lines is believed to be the cause of the fire, which started shortly after 10am today near Boards Corner, inland from Burra North Road.
Three fixed wing aircraft are providing water-bombing support while a helicopter is providing aerial intelligence to the ground crews.
Earlier today the fire jumped across Kooringa Road and has now crossed the Burra to Morgan Road, and Burra to Roberstown Road.
The Morgan to Burra Road is closed.
An additional 100 personnel from CFS, MFS and Department for Environment and Heritage are heading up to Burra to assist.
The CFS is advising residents in the area to take shelter in their homes or a solid structure, close all doors and windows, stay inside and stay off the roads until the fire front has passed.
Road users should avoid the area affected by the fire. It is dangerous to be near a bushfire on foot or in a car if unprotected.
Residents should not attempt to enter or return to the area at this time, as access is restricted and the roads may not be safe.
In the early stages of the fire near Burra, two of the 16 CFS tankers at the scene provided asset protection for a house, known as the Princess Royal Property, which was in the path of the blaze.
The threat to the property was reduced when a wind change caused the fire to travel away from the property.
To 4pm there was no report of injuries or damage to property or personal injuries.
Minor grass and scrub fires have also been reported today at Currency Creek (Fleurieu Peninsula), Kapunda (Mid north), Sheringa and Yeelana (Eyre Peninsula), all of which have now been contained.
The public are reminded that TOTAL FIRE BANS have been declared for the entire State of South Australia for today, Friday 23 December 2005.
For more information about fire restrictions or bushfire safety and survival contact the CFS Bushfire Hotline on 1300 362 361 or visit
www.cfs.org.au####
Media Contact: CFS Public Affairs
Contact No: (08) 8463 4206
Contact Email: publicaffairs@cfs.org.au
