SA Country Fire Service

Media release

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CFS continues battling Tilley Swamp fire in State's South-East

18/02/2013

The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) continues to battle a bushfire in Tilley Swamp Conservation Park in the State's lower south-east, approximately two kilometres east of the Princes Highway.

The Tilley Swamp fire and has crossed Petherick Road and continues to travel in a southerly direction, towards Henry Creek Road.

Approximately 100 CFS firefighters, supported by DEWNR crews and private Farm Fire Units are battling the fire which has burnt through 1232 hectares since it began just before midday yesterday.

Firefighters on the ground are being supported by three fixed-wing water bombers, an air observer and an air attack supervisor, to help halt the forward rate of spread.

CFS State Coordinator, Mark Thomason, says the priority is putting mineral earth breaks in place on the eastern side of the fire using heavy plant machinery.

"The fire is burning in heavy fuelled and difficult terrain, which is a combination of swamp, scrub and grass lands making access problematic and dangerous for firefighters" Mr Thomason said.

"Once the fire comes out of the scrub into grazing land, we can attack the fire more directly."

CFS crews are also attending a fire in Taratap in the lower south-east which is now contained, and were earlier battling a blaze in Panitya near Kimba on the Eyre highway, which has now been declared as safe.

Crews are also continuing to monitor a woodchip fire which has been burning at a timber mill on Kangaroo Island since late last night.

CFS firefighters are using a compressed air foam system to suppress the fire and prevent embers from spotting, and causing additional fires.

The CFS advises the public that smoke may be visible across a wide area of the south-east, including Naracoorte and Padthaway.

For further information visit the CFS website at www.cfs.sa.gov.au or contact the 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