Lightning strikes ignites SA Outback fires
21/10/2012
A series of lightning strikes overnight has ignited several grass fires that are continuing to burn in South Australia's Far North and southern Flinders Ranges.
The Country Fire Services (CFS) is monitoring nine fires in the APY Lands in the Victoria Desert which is estimated to have burnt about 85,000 hectares.
CFS Region 4 Duty Officer Nik Ludborzs said none of these fires are threatening any properties or communities.
"This includes three other fires, two of them on sheep stations at Bulgunnia about 20 kilometres south-west of Coober Pedy and the other at Holowilena Station, in the Northern Flinders Ranges, east of Walker," he said.
CFS fire crews from Coober Pedy, Hawker, Orroroo and Wilpena are currently attending these fires.
Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) crews are also monitoring another fire from a prescribed burn at Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park.
A fixed-winged observer aircraft will fly over the Southern Flinders Ranges to Wilpena, Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park and Holowilena Station today to observe the fires in these areas.
"The fires in the APY Lands will be monitored by a combination of satellite, and information conveyed through SAPOL from local sources and with the others, we'll rely on our crews and pastoralists," Mr Ludborzs said.
For media enquiries telephone the CFS Media Line on (08) 8212 9849
