SA Country Fire Service

Media release

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CREWS CONTINUE BATTLING COOMUNGA FIRE IN SA

22/11/2012

The Country Fire Service (CFS) continues to manage the bushfire in Coomunga which has burnt through 2200 hectares at Mungerowie scrub to the north west of Duck Pond, approximately five kilometres from Port Lincoln.

While the fire continues to burn within control lines, there was a small escape on the north east corner overnight which was quickly managed.

Crews have undertaken back burning over night to establish control lines around the perimeter of the fire.

The high relative humidity in the air posed a challenge for back burning, but the favourable weather conditions today will allow crews to continue back burning in the north west of the fire ground.

Minimal crews patrolled the fire overnight to allow other personnel to rest in preparation for the control work that will continue today.

"We are increasing our resources on the ground with 161 firefighters, 21 tankers and 3 quick response vehicles on site to continue managing the fire," CFS Incident Controller Ian Tanner said.

"We will also have five aircraft in place to support firefighting operations. One for air attack supervision, three fixed wing bombers and an observation aircraft."

Crews will continue to use bulldozers and graders to establish mineral breaks on the perimeter of the fire.

"We will continue to secure the perimeter of the fire throughout the day and are advising the community that the back burning will generate significant amounts of smoke," Mr Tanner said.

For updates on this incident, refer to the CFS website at www.cfs.sa.gov.au.



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Media information
For media enquiries call the CFS Media Line on 08 8115 3531.

Government of South Australia