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Prescribed burn in Gawler Ranges crosses containment lines

A prescribed burn at the Gawler Ranges National Park, 60 kilometres north of Wudinna, undertaken by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) crossed containment lines yesterday.

The prescribed burn commenced at 9am on Thursday, November 10 and was due to be completed over a number of days.

Due to prolific growth in the area from seasonal rainfall, the objective of the burn was to reduce fuels in a strategic location along 50 kilometres of road edge and create a fire break to limit the spread of potential spear grass fires occurring during summer.

The burn crossed containment lines yesterday north of Paney Station and has burnt an estimated 4,000 hectares within the park.

DENR and South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) crews are currently on-site supported by aerial bombing and surveillance aircraft to contain the burn within park boundaries.

An Incident Management Team has been established at Paney Station to plan operations over the next couple of days to ensure the fire is contained and safe before the arrival of warmer weather conditions forecast for later in the week.

Prescribed burning is a key government initiative and an essential part of DENR’s strategy of working with the CFS to reduce the impact of bushfires on public land.

They are conducted for a number of reasons such as reducing heavy fuel loads in strategic areas of DENR parks and reserves or for ecological and research purposes.

Prescribed burning is conducted under milder weather conditions experienced during spring and autumn within defined prescriptions.

DENR always ensures that appropriate back-up resources and fall-back positions are available in the event that a prescribed burn crosses containment lines.