South Australia hot weather and bushfire roundup
IN a day of catastrophic conditions, a “wall of flames” tore through more than 8000ha on Keith’s northeastern outskirts, destroying at least two sheds and valuable grain crops. The bushfire was contained overnight but locals are advised to continue following their survival plan.
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AN “extremely dangerous” bushfire which was threatening farms in the state’s South-East on Saturday has been contained after fire crews battled the out-of-control blaze overnight.
In a day of catastrophic conditions, a “wall of flames” tore through more than 8000ha, on Keith’s northeastern outskirts, destroying at least two sheds and valuable grain crops.
A Country Fire Service crew escaped serious injury when they were trapped inside their truck as the inferno “burnt over”, while dozens of their colleagues heroically saved multiple properties.
But the Sherwood bushfire was threatening several farms at Makin and McCallum and thousands of livestock late Saturday night as it raged towards a major national park, 40km from the Victorian border, fanned by high winds and temperatures.
The CFS said the fire had been contained about 4am on Sunday — but locals were advised to continue to follow their bushfire survival plans and steer clear of the area.
“Members of the public should avoid structures affected by fire due to the risk of structural collapse,” the CFS said in an advice message.
”If you are at home check your property for any fires and embers — particularly in roof spaces, under decks, raised floors and in gutters.”
The fire’s front was 15km wide. It burned a path 35km long.
As emergency service chiefs’ worst fears were realised, authorities urged locals to flee the “dangerous” area amid a “risk to ... life and property”.
Keith nor Bordertown were both protected from the threat. A cool change moderated the fire intensity and rate of spread, giving firefighters a chance to control the blaze, 225km from Adelaide.
Robyn Verrall, whose husband, Chris, is a CFS volunteer fighting the blaze 20km from their property, described a “wall of flames” near their home.
“I had tried to leave but the fire had swung back around and done a complete circle, so I came back to the house and told my husband I couldn’t get out,” she told the Sunday Mail.
She took her dogs and sought refuge at a dam under some car blankets.
Firefighters became boxed in as the fire whipped around and surrounded crews on Hundred of Makin Rd, Sherwood, just after 5.30pm. It is understood there were limited resources available to co-ordinate a targeted attack to direct the blaze into a single spot.
Instead, crews were forced to prioritise people and assets while the fire was harder to control on the fringes.
Farm units were also helping with the firefighting effort.
More than 150 firefighters and six bombers were sent to the frontline. Such was the fire’s intensity that smoke could be viewed on satellite images.
The Dukes Hwy, between Bordertown and Pinnaroo, was closed for several hours. The Ngarkat Hwy and Conservation Park remain closed.
CFS assistant chief officer Daniel Austin on Saturday night said the bushfire initially burned in a south-easterly direction, threatening Bordertown and Keith but changed direction.
A south-westerly wind then shifted its direction, threatening farm properties and the conservation park, which remained in its path.
“Strong winds mean (it) is running quite quickly, in some parts with high fuel loads so there are all the usual stressors on the human body plus the heat from the fire as well,” he said.
When the firefront trapped the crew, they had to bunk down inside their truck while the blaze passed through.
They were “shaken” but not injured and the truck slightly damage.
The CFS battled more than 40 fires across the state on Saturday – 19 in rural areas.
A Penfield blaze, north of Adelaide, was out within two hours, while crews also battled a Happy Valley blaze.
Firefighters also monitored a Mintaro hay fire, in the state’s Mid North near Clare.
Meanwhile, a large blaze destroyed at least one home in Melbourne’s south on Saturday as 300 firefighters worked furiously to control the blaze in the season’s first test.
FIRE DANGER RATING
■ Where fire ban districts have a forecast fire danger rating of Catastrophic, well prepared, well constructed and defended homes may not be safe during a fire. To ensure your survival you should leave tonight or early tomorrow morning.
■ Where fire ban districts have a forecast fire danger rating of Extreme, only well prepared, well constructed and actively defended houses are likely to offer safety during a fire.
■ Where fire ban districts have a forecast fire danger rating of Severe, well prepared and actively defended houses can offer safety during a fire.