SA Country Fire Service

Media release

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CFS continues to monitor Finniss fireground

5/01/2013

The CFS is continuing to monitor areas of the Finniss bushfire which was contained last night after burning more than 330 hectares and destroying one shed.

The CFS responded to over 60 incidents yesterday including more than 40 fires most of which were dealt promptly through the quick response of CFS volunteers, the valuable help of farm fire units and aerial support including the Ericson Aircrane which did 50 drops or 250,000 litres of water.

Extensive mopping-up was carried out by over 60 firefighters last night with fresh crews continuing to monitor this fire today.

The CFS is also warning people in the burnt areas of the Finniss bushfire that tree limbs may fall without warning and cause injury.

Regional Duty Officer Ian Hunter said that a large tree limb fell near Winery Road today.

"People in the area need to recognise that a burnt tree will drop its limbs and even those that have been burnt may be under stress and without notice will see a large branch or limb fall to the ground," Mr Hunter said.

CFS crews are also closely monitoring fires at Sevenhill (controlled), Compton (contained) and Macgillivray (controlled) on Kangaroo Island.

There are 3 fire bans in place today – Flinders (S), North East Pastoral (S) North West Pastoral (S) with more more bans expected tomorrow and significant fire weather next week.

With high temperatures predicted again for the coming week, the CFS asks for people to postpone until the fire risk has eased, any outdoor activities that could cause a spark or ignite a fire in these conditions such as angle grinding or welding.

In other CFS incidents, firefighters were called to a large shed fire at Murray Bridge last night.

The fire in Mitchell Avenue caused about $50,000 damage to the structure with investigators finding the cause to be undermined.

CFS crews are still at the scene of a diesel tanker rollover which happened this morning at the intersection of Parrakie South Road and Badman Road at Parrakie in the Murray Mallee.

The driver of the tanker was not seriously injured and the road remains partially closed while 15,000 litres of diesel fuel is transferred to another tanker.

For more information on current incidents visit the CFS website at www.cfs.sa.gov.au or contact the CFS Bushfire Information Hotline on 1300 362 361.

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

Government of South Australia