Kangaroo Island fires: Calls for extra support in our 'worst bushfire season'
Kangaroo Island can finally catch its breath. But South Australia's bushfire danger period still has a long way to go, and the state will ask the Federal Government for more firefighting support.
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The State Government is calling on its federal counterparts to provide extra firebombing aircraft to help battle the Kangaroo Island bushfires.
South Australians should continue to support fire-ravaged Kangaroo Island and the Adelaide Hills, civic leaders urge, as the latest devastation of a horror bushfire season emerges.
Kangaroo Island residents yesterday returned to their homes in Vivonne Bay and Parndana after a second major fire in less than a week.More than 215,000ha – almost half of the island – has been scorched since December 20 last year.
“At this difficult time, we’re encouraging South Australians to continue to dig deep and donate what they can to the SA Bushfire Appeal, to help their fellow South Australians rebuild in the weeks, months and years ahead,” Premier Steven Marshall said.
Mr Marshall said there had been an overwhelming outpouring of support of $3.5 million to its bushfire relief fund, with every dollar raised going directly to families and communities who needed it most.
“We have all been shocked and saddened by the scale of destruction on Kangaroo Island, coming on top of the devastating losses in the Adelaide Hills,” he said.
“Not only has there been tragic loss of life, families have lost homes and properties, people have lost businesses, vineyards, livestock and – for some – their livelihoods.”
His pleas were backed by Kangaroo Island Mayor Michael Pengilly, who said “rebuilding is what we’ve got to do”.
“When we get everything put to bed here, we hope people come,” he said.“Kangaroo Island is still a beautiful place – there’s still plenty to do.”Mr Pengilly said next month’s Kangaroo Island Cup racing carnival – a huge hit with interstate and overseas travellers – would go ahead despite the fires.
Country Fire Service volunteers are tirelessly working to extinguish the Ravine blaze, which last night was downgraded to an advice message.
More than 60 homes have been destroyed and at least 10 other buildings have been significantly damaged.
SA Power Networks crews will today attempt to enter the fireground, with more than 900 people still without electricity.
SA Water technicians will continue work to repair the badly damaged Middle River Water Treatment Plant.
The State Government is calling on its federal counterparts to provide extra firebombing aircraft to help battle the island’s bushfires.Authorities have praised the work of firefighters on the ground and the resilience of the communities under threat.
Emergency Services Minister Corey Wingard said SA would be appealing to the Federal Government for further aerial support to tackle the inferno.
“We have had outstanding results from the increased fixed-wing capability after we brought nine extra aircraft into our fleet last summer and having loan of the large aerial tanker from NSW has also helped out already this summer,” he said.
“We know aerial coverage to dump big payloads of retardant or water, combined with our outstanding troops on the ground, are key to fighting big fires like we’ve seen on Kangaroo Island and in the Adelaide Hills.”
CFS chief officer Mark Jones said there were no missing people but some firefighters were injured in the blaze.“Two further CFS trucks were damaged … during firefighting operations,” he said.
“Two further firefighters sustained minor injuries too, bringing the total to 22 firefighters injured in the Kangaroo Island fires.”He said SA was dealing with an unprecedented bushfire season and praised firefighters and communities for their efforts.
“The state has been remarkably lucky that more people haven’t been killed or injured in what has been the worst season we’ve endured in living memory,” he said.
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