SA: Interstate help called in as bushfire emergency continues

AAP General News (Australia)
12-10-2007
SA: Interstate help called in as bushfire emergency continues

By Tim Dornin

ADELAIDE, Dec 10 AAP - Firefighters will be brought in from Victoria, NSW and Tasmania
as the battle continues against three major bushfires burning on South Australia's Kangaroo
Island.

A huge aircrane helitanker, capable of carrying 9,000 litres of water, arrived on the
island from Victoria today as fears remained for heritage and farming land, wilderness
areas and a number of properties.

A return to hot and windy conditions later this week, also was a major concern.

The Country Fire Service (CFS) said five strike teams from Victoria were due to arrive
today and five more would come from NSW and Tasmania on Wednesday, adding 250 personnel
to the fight.

The CFS said the blazes in the Flinders Chase National Park, at Western River on the
north coast and at D'Estrees Bay on the island's south coast were still burning strongly.

Two other fires of concern in recent days, at Vivonne Bay and at Riverleas, have been contained.

In the Flinders Chase National Park the blaze had destroyed more than 5,200 hectares
and was now burning in wilderness and scrub not burnt since 1968.

At D'Estrees Bay significant backburning was completed today but the CFS said it remained
a concern largely because it was burning in inaccessible terrain.

It already had destroyed about 9,600 hectares.

At Western River backburning operations also had been completed but the potential for
the blaze to break through containment lines on its eastern flank remained high.

The CFS said a number of properties in the area also were considered at risk and were
being given individual protection.

In response to the fires police today declared most of Kangaroo Island a danger zone
and restricted the movement of people, but decided against declaring an immediate state
of emergency, which would allow additional resources, including the Army, to be called
in.

Police Commissioner Mal Hyde said the CFS believed it could still cope with the situation
as it stands.

"At this stage it's not a resource issue, the CFS have some standing arrangements in
place," Mr Hyde told ABC Radio.

"They have up to 500 firefighters on the island now and they're getting additional
resources from other states.

"They're bringing in extra aerial support as well, so a lot of things are happening
already and it's a fairly large logistical operation."

Mr Hyde said developments that might call for the declaration of a state of emergency,
centred on protecting the community and helping with evacuations.

"It might be (that) you have to make special arrangements for evacuating people and
a declaration might be required there," he said.

Tourists also were urged today not to cancel plans to visit Kangaroo Island despite
the fires closing some key tourist destinations.

The island's local MP Michael Pengilly said hundreds of jobs relied on the tourist trade.

"Kangaroo Island is still open for business and tourists should not be deterred from
visiting one of South Australia's treasures," Mr Pengilly said.

"Fire has closed Flinders Chase National Park, Kelly Hill Caves and Seal Bay National
Park but vast areas of the island and many other attractions remain untouched.

"Tourists have no need to cancel their travel plans."

Mr Pengilly said he was working closely with the state government to assist tourism
operators and families affected by the fires.

"Locals affected by the fire are understandably upset but many are looking positively
to the future," Mr Pengilly said.

Kangaroo Island Mayor Jane Bates said there were many places still open to the public
and to tourists.

"Beautiful beaches, beautiful wineries and our major towns are open," she said.

"There is still plenty to do and see on the island."

AAP tjd/sco/bwl

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES SA NIGHTLEAD

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.