North East Pastoral District Strike Teams. 29th September to 22nd October 2011
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Sep / Oct 2011
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Moomba Strike Team 2011

North East Pastoral District

On Tuesday 27^th September 2011 a significant band of lightning moved across South Australia, with an estimated 52,000 lightning strikes being recorded, resulting in numerous fires in the North East Pastoral District. Of note the following fires were actively monitored including several fires having resources committed:

Dillon's - Innamincka
Hamilton (north west of Oodnadatta)
Lambina Station (north east of Marla)
Mungeranie Station
Padulla 1 (south west of Moomba)
Strzelecki - Merty Merty 1
Strzelecki - Merty Merty 2

As these fires burnt on Wednesday a number of them posed a threat to community assets, mining infrastructure and valuable fodder for graziers. In consultation with DENR, Santos and several graziers, CFS deployed a joint Region 4 DENR/CFS Strike Team of Quick Response Vehicles to assist with the Strzelecki - Merty Merty fire, these were based out of the Santos facility at Moomba supported by a liaison officer also based at Moomba. This strike team assisted with the establishment of control lines, undertook back burning and direct fire attack.

The Dillon's - Innamincka fire took a significant run towards the Queensland border late Wednesday and early Thursday, and resources were requested to assist with this fire as well. Two additional Strike Teams of Quick Response Vehicles was despatched from Regions 2 & 3 to support the efforts in this area/complex of fires, which were to relieve the original strike team and provide additional support. As conditions continued to deteriorate the Region 4 strike team remained committed and a relief crew were despatched, with a total of 3 strike teams working this complex of fires.

This complex of fires in the Moomba - Innamincka area were supported by Santos at Moomba, who also provided aerial recognisance through rotary and fixed wing aircraft utilised by CFS and Santos Air Observers. Approximate area burnt with this complex of fires is 600,000 hectares.

The Mungeranie fire was another complex of fires with 5 fires in this general area, which impacted on graziers and petroleum exploration companies working in the area. These fires have consumed significant amounts of fodder resulting in loss of production and potential requirement to relocate stock from the area. This complex of fires was flown on a regular basis by the Manager from Mungeranie Station, who was in contact with Region 4 who offered support to assist. This complex burnt approximately 300,000 hectares.

The Hamilton fire was monitored by the station manager with support from Oodnadatta and Coober Pedy CFS Brigades, an area of approximately 20,000 hectares was burnt.

North East Pastoral Support - Brigades Involved

1st Strike Team - 1500hrs Friday 29/9/2011 to Thursday 6/10/2011
2nd Strike Team - 0930hrs Saturday 15/10/2011 to Saturday 22/10/2011

Quorn	Yongala	Peterborough
Wilmington	Stirling North	Jamestown
DENR	Aldgate	Nuriootpa
Birdwood	Cudlee Creek	Ardrossan
Freeling	Greenock	Roseworthy
Dublin	Mannum	Waikerie
Keyneton	Halidon	Monash
Barmera	Orroroo	Snowtown
Hoyleton	Napperby	Crystal Brook
Carey Gully	Tea Tree Gully	Nuriootpa

North East Pastoral Support - Appliances Involved

Iron Knob 14	DENR 14A & 14B	Yongala QRV
Hawker 14	Flinders Car 1	Bute QRV
Greenock 14	Birdwood QRV	Freeling QRV
Angaston Car 1	Karoonda Car 1	Monash QRV
Barmera QRV	DENR Gunyah QRV	Keyneton QRV