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HOT SPOTS: The fires at Secret Rocks and Miltalie (shaded areas) and notification of a smoke investigation (!) at Midgee on the Lincoln Highway.
Thursday, January 2, 2020
With more scorching weather predicted for tomorrow, Whyalla police and the CFS are urging residents to be aware of a fire burning southwest of the city.
Police are advising residents to download the SA Alert app https://alert.sa.gov.au to keep a tab on the fire and to consider travel arrangements carefully.
As the control agency, the CFS is responsible for the provision of information about the fire itself with Whyalla residents, and nearby communities especially Cowell and Kimba, and it also urges people to use the Alert SA app that is free and available to everyone via https://alert.sa.gov.au
Or you can go to the CFS website at https://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/site/home.jsp
The fire affecting Middleback Rd, called the Miltalie fire, remains active and at "Advice" level. There are three levels 1) Advice, 2) Watch & act and 3) Emergency.
The fire is currently not threatening life or property but with a 45-degree day tipped for tomorrow (Friday, January 3, 2020), Whyalla residents are being asked to reconsider any travel outside of the city.
A section of the Middleback Rd between Todd and Puddle Hole Dam roads has been closed since Monday night due to the Miltalie fire and is expected to remain closed for quite some time (certainly for days). For road closure information go to https://traffic.sa.gov.au/#mapo
Fire fighters are working hard to contain the Miltalie fire before the extreme weather day on Friday (January 3).
CLOSURE: The section of Middleback Rd presently closed.
Presently the Fire Danger Rating for tomorrow for the Eastern Eyre Peninsula is severe but this can be subject to change. For more information go to https://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/site/bans_and_ratings.jsp
At 2.44pm today, smoke was being investigated on Lincoln Highway at Midgee, north of Whyalla. A fire at Secret Rocks, west of Whyalla, that started on December 20, 2019, has been contained.
As per advice from the CFS, people in the affected area (shaded out area on the Alert SA map above) to follow their Bushfire Survival Plan, stay alert for potential dangers such as smoke, increased traffic and falling trees. Additional information is contained on the present Advice message.
Police have asked that people stay away from this area and obey all signage and directions from emergency services officers and police.
Further information can be gained with updates on the SAPOL site https://bit.ly/2MFB5RI
on the SAPOL Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SouthAustraliaPolice/
Ring 000 for any emergency situation.