Flinders Ranges Bushfire Threatens Mount Remarkable National Park

A bushfire in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges has wreaked havoc, destroying 15 percent of Mount Remarkable National Park and continuing to rage. The Wilmington scrub fire, located approximately 3.5 hours north of Adelaide, has scorched 2,800 hectares of rugged terrain since it ignited on Monday.

Sindy McCourt, the regional liaison for the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS), reported that despite entering its fourth day, the fire remains active and poses a risk of breaching containment lines. “There’s every opportunity for this fire to come out of the park,” she warned.

Fortunately, the CFS has stated that the fire currently poses no threat to life or property, but they have issued advisories for local residents to stay vigilant and informed about changing conditions.

Mount Remarkable National Park, encompassing 18,000 hectares and known for its popular camping spots and the scenic Alligator Gorge, faces unique challenges due to its difficult terrain. Ms. McCourt emphasized the importance of aerial firefighting efforts, as ground access is limited. “It’s not easy to just put a fire truck up against a fire edge and actually put water on it,” she explained.

Residents can expect increased aviation activity, as aircraft are deployed to drop fire retardant and help slow the blaze’s spread. “In those places where you can’t actually get in, aerial support can help,” she stated, highlighting the risks of sending ground crews into the treacherous “goat country.”

Previous back-burning operations have aided in containing the fire, though some areas have been intentionally left to burn. “We have to burn out some of those fuel loads,” Ms. McCourt noted, explaining that without controlled burns, the intensity of the fire could lead to breaches of containment lines.

The CFS has warned that the community may notice heightened smoke, flames, and embers during these operations, particularly at night.

In a concerning development, a CFS firefighter sustained burn injuries while battling the blaze on Monday and remains hospitalized. “We’ve been in touch with him, and he’s doing as well as can be expected,” Ms. McCourt said, expressing relief that he is in good spirits. As the firefighting efforts continue, the community remains on alert, hoping for the best amid the challenging conditions.