Kangaroo Island bushfires

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Kangaroo Island Bushfires
Location Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Date 6 December 2007 - 14 December 2007
Ignition source Drought, Heatwave, Lightning, Strong Winds
Land use Mixed, residential, bush and tourist attractions
Fatalities 1 life

The Kangaroo Island Bushfires were a series of bushfires caused by lightning strikes on the 6 December 2007 on Kangaroo Island South Australia, resulting in 95,000 ha of land being destroyed. The fires occurred mainly across the western side of the island near Flinders Chase, Vivonne Bay, D'Estrees Bay, Western River and Riverleas.

The D'Estrees Bay fire in Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park was contained by 12 December 2007, while intense fires in the west, which included the protected areas of Flinders Chase National Park and Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area, were more difficult to extinguish.[1]

A significant proportion of Flinders Chase National Park was burnt in this bushfire event
A significant proportion of Flinders Chase National Park was burnt in this bushfire event

On the 14th December 2007, the Country Fire Service officially announced that all fires were contained. The event was South Australia's largest bush fire operation to date with over 800 personnel, 7 fixed wing water bombers and an Evlis Skycrane Helitanker all assisting in firefighting efforts, together with units from Victoria's Country Fire Authority and the Rural Fire Sevice of New South Wales.

[edit] Possible State of Emergency

A state of emergency had been considered but was rejected on the 10 December 2007 due to cooler conditions. A state of emergency would have seen the Australian Army move in to assist the Country Fire Service and Department of Environment personnel.

[edit] Summary

Before being contained on 16th December 2007, over 90,000 hectares ( or 20% of the Island ) had been burnt, principally within National Park and Conservation Reserves. The most serious outbreak occurred in Flinders Chase, with 63,000 hectares ( or 85% of the total Park area ) having been burnt. The total damage bill is estimated at $2.3m.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Burn Scars on Kangaroo Island. Earth Observatory Newsroom. Retrieved on 2008-01-06.
  2. ^ The Islander 2008-02-14
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