ID :
96514
Thu, 12/24/2009 - 02:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/96514
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Bushfire destroys homes at Port Lincoln
(AAP) At least five homes and an emergency centre were destroyed, businesses threatened and people fled Port Lincoln on Eyre Peninsula on Wednesday as a bushfire raged towards the town.
It was the second time within a year that homes and other properties were lost in
the area.
The Country Fire Service (CFS) warned the blaze was still burning strongly but
expected fire crews and aerial water bombers would bring it under control overnight.
A second major fire continued to burn in the state's southeast but firefighters said
the threat had reduced and a backburning operation would have it further contained.
The fires came as SA sweltered through its worst fire risk day of the summer with
eight districts declared at catastrophic risk.
On Eyre Peninsula the fire broke out near a quarry on the western outskirts of Port
Lincoln.
Fanned by strong winds and soaring temperatures, it quickly destroyed more than 500
hectares of scrub and grassland.
The CFS said that at least five homes were confirmed lost along with sheds and other
buildings - and the local headquarters for the State Emergency Service.
But there were unconfirmed reports of many more houses in flames as well as a number
of business premises.
At the height of the drama, hundreds of people were reported to be fleeing Port
Lincoln by car as thick smoke blanketed much of the town.
The smoke was also thought responsible for tripping an electrical sub-station,
blacking out several thousand homes and other properties.
About 140 firefighters on the ground at Port Lincoln were being supported by several
water bombing helicopters and planes.
In January this year, a similar fire destroyed several homes and two major tuna
fishing operations at Port Lincoln.
While in January 2005, the Wangary bushfires, northwest of the town claimed nine
lives, burnt more than 77,000 hectares of mainly agricultural land, and destroyed 93
homes and 46,000 head of stock.
In SA's southeast, the CFS said the blaze near Ninga Ninga had destroyed about
1500ha of scrub and grassland with 80 firefighters in the area supported by fire
bombing aircraft.
At one stage, three farms were threatened but the CFS said moderating weather
conditions had helped crews halt the fire's spread and get the upper hand.
The blaze was thought to have started from a lightning strike.
The Bureau of Meteorology said cooler conditions would prevail across South
Australia on Thursday after the arrival of a southerly change with some rain.
It was the second time within a year that homes and other properties were lost in
the area.
The Country Fire Service (CFS) warned the blaze was still burning strongly but
expected fire crews and aerial water bombers would bring it under control overnight.
A second major fire continued to burn in the state's southeast but firefighters said
the threat had reduced and a backburning operation would have it further contained.
The fires came as SA sweltered through its worst fire risk day of the summer with
eight districts declared at catastrophic risk.
On Eyre Peninsula the fire broke out near a quarry on the western outskirts of Port
Lincoln.
Fanned by strong winds and soaring temperatures, it quickly destroyed more than 500
hectares of scrub and grassland.
The CFS said that at least five homes were confirmed lost along with sheds and other
buildings - and the local headquarters for the State Emergency Service.
But there were unconfirmed reports of many more houses in flames as well as a number
of business premises.
At the height of the drama, hundreds of people were reported to be fleeing Port
Lincoln by car as thick smoke blanketed much of the town.
The smoke was also thought responsible for tripping an electrical sub-station,
blacking out several thousand homes and other properties.
About 140 firefighters on the ground at Port Lincoln were being supported by several
water bombing helicopters and planes.
In January this year, a similar fire destroyed several homes and two major tuna
fishing operations at Port Lincoln.
While in January 2005, the Wangary bushfires, northwest of the town claimed nine
lives, burnt more than 77,000 hectares of mainly agricultural land, and destroyed 93
homes and 46,000 head of stock.
In SA's southeast, the CFS said the blaze near Ninga Ninga had destroyed about
1500ha of scrub and grassland with 80 firefighters in the area supported by fire
bombing aircraft.
At one stage, three farms were threatened but the CFS said moderating weather
conditions had helped crews halt the fire's spread and get the upper hand.
The blaze was thought to have started from a lightning strike.
The Bureau of Meteorology said cooler conditions would prevail across South
Australia on Thursday after the arrival of a southerly change with some rain.
