SA Country Fire Service

Media release

<Message Starts>

Fire Destroys 100 Hectares of Pine Plantation in Lower South East.

01/11/2015

Just before 3:00pm yesterday afternoon (Saturday 31st October) SA Country Fire Service Firefighters were responded to reports of a fire on McEnroe Road, Pleasant Park, north of Mount Gambier in the states Lower South East.

On arrival firefighters found a fire going well in a plantation of 8 - 10 year old pines and quickly got to work to try to extinguish the fire.

At the peak of battling this plantation fire there were more than 70 firefighters from 13 tankers and 5 bulk water carriers. Many CFS Forest Industry Brigades also responded to support firefighting efforts.

Victorias Country Fire Authority (CFA) also provided aerial support under local cross border arrangements, Regional Commander John Probert said "Having these arrangements in place makes managing and resourcing fires in border locations easier as we all have an understanding of what to expect and how each State can assist"

Whilst this fire did cross over into Victoria yesterday afternoon CFS maintained control of the incident

"Victorias CFA were managing a number of fires from their Incident Control Centre at Heywood Victoria and CFS was managing this fire from our Incident Control Centre at Mount Gambier, having working relationships in place both Incident Control Centres have been maintaining communications with each other to assist with firefighting operations". Commander Probert said.

The fire which continued to burn overnight has destroyed 100 hectares of the pine plantation and has now been classed as contained. Firefighting resources will continue to be on scene until the fire is fully extinguished and are being supported by a Dozer creating a mineral earth break.

There has been no dollar damage set for this fire at this stage, the cause of the fire is believed to have been a lightning strike after lightning hit the area Friday evening.

Whist the fire does not present any threat to people in the Pleasant Park area, residents in the area and people driving on the roads are asked to remain vigilant and use caution as there may still be smoke in the area for some time.

For more information about bushfires, check the CFS website www.cfs.sa.gov.au or call the Bushfire Information Hotline on 1300 362 361.

<Message Ends>

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

Government of South Australia