Bad bushfire conditions on the way

CONCERNING: The CFS hopes the fire south of Lucindale, known as the Coles fire, can be contained before tough weather conditions this weekend. Photo: Supplied by CFS.

Elsie Adamo

REINFORCEMENTS have been brought in to help keep a bushfire in Coles, south of Lucindale, from flaring up ahead of tough weather conditions.

Country Fire Service (CFS) first attended the blaze on Wednesday afternoon, with support from farm fire units and forest industry crews.

In a large-scale effort, 165 firefighters, 40 trucks and nine aircraft were working to contain the fire.

At time of print the fire had burnt through 2300 hectares of land, which included mostly blue gum plantation, with no reported property or stock losses.

CFS Region 5 commander John Probert said on yesterday there was not yet control lines around the fire due to “problematic” sections of land, and spot fires could be a problem in the coming days.

“We are concerned about the upcoming weather, hence we had strike teams come in from the Adelaide Hills, Mid-North and Murry Bridge/Riverland area who have come in to assist over two days to try and consolidate the edge of the fire, so we do not see any escapes in the coming weather,” he said.

CFS warned the public in the area to stay alert, monitor local conditions and have a plan for if the situation changes.

Mr Probert said investigators had not yet determined the cause of the fire but did not believe at this stage it was suspicious in nature.

Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is forecasting highs in Mount Gambier of 36 degrees today, and 37 and 35 over the weekend.

Total fire bans are expected over the weekend due to the hot weather.