FIRE! Simpson Desert closed.
Submitted: Thursday, Sep 22, 2011 at 19:57
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Fab72
This just through from SAPOL.
Simpson Desert Closed
Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Friday, Sep 23, 2011 at 07:42
Friday, Sep 23, 2011 at 07:42
Hi Fab
Thanks for that. I just heard on the radio this morning from the Police report that it is still closed and they were advising people to keep checking for updates and if they have family or friends travelling in the area to try and contact them and get them to keep out of the closed section.
The only problem there that if they were travelling without outside communications, eg
HF Radio or Sat Phone how ever would anyone know of the danger, apart from all the smoke.
The next question is that we have been told about it here in South Australia, but do the other state advise the same information.
Cheers
Stephen
AnswerID:
465777
Follow Up By: Fab72 - Friday, Sep 23, 2011 at 17:18
Friday, Sep 23, 2011 at 17:18
G'Day Stephen,
As you would also be aware, there are huge fuel loads out there after the last few wet years.
I guess the biggest risk would be getting stuck out there with no coms and the wind picks up. Unlike the highway where you can try and out run the approaching flames, that's clearly not an option in this terrain.
I hope anyone out there has the sense to clear out ASAP rather than adopt the "She'll be right" approach.
Fab.
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739837
Reply By: Ozrover - Friday, Sep 23, 2011 at 08:25
Friday, Sep 23, 2011 at 08:25
The fires are currently North of the Erebena oil
well & North West of Poeple Corner, SA DENR are flying over the area this morning to assess the situation.
SA Police CFA & DENR have closed the
Simpson Desert East of
Dalhousie Springs until at least Tuesday next week.
AnswerID:
465780
Follow Up By: Fab72 - Friday, Sep 23, 2011 at 12:36
Friday, Sep 23, 2011 at 12:36
Cheers Jeff,
At least we now know that it's going to be Tuesday at the earliest.
Fab.
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739816
Follow Up By: Ozrover - Friday, Sep 23, 2011 at 12:52
Friday, Sep 23, 2011 at 12:52
We are waiting on an update from DENR as to the extent of the fires & when they will re-open the Desert.
FollowupID:
739818
Follow Up By: Fab72 - Friday, Sep 23, 2011 at 17:19
Friday, Sep 23, 2011 at 17:19
Be sure to keep us posted Jeff. There's a good chance you'll recieve the updates long before us city folk do.
Fab.
FollowupID:
739838
Follow Up By: Ozrover - Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 08:39
Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 08:39
Looks like they are going to keep the
Simpson Desert closed until next Tuesday, Witjira is fully open through to
Purni bore.
FollowupID:
739897
Follow Up By: Ozrover - Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 10:59
Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 10:59
Latest news is that the
Simpson Desert will be closed until at least Wednesday next week.
There is no access east from
Dalhousie Springs.
FollowupID:
739915
Reply By: Member - Scott M (NSW) - Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 10:42
Saturday, Sep 24, 2011 at 10:42
"The only problem there that if they were travelling without outside communications, eg
HF Radio or Sat Phone how ever would anyone know of the danger, apart from all the smoke. "
Could always send a light plane out along the route with a UHF and warn drivers??? Just a thought.....
AnswerID:
465884