SA: Winds ease on Eyre Peninsula, Ninga Ninga fires

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2009
SA: Winds ease on Eyre Peninsula, Ninga Ninga fires

Easing winds and reduced temperatures are helping fire crews gain the upper hand in
fires which have destroyed up to ten houses and an emergency centre .. and forced people
to flee the South Australian town of Port Lincoln.

The Country Fire Service says there's now a reduced threat in the Port Lincoln fire.

Fanned by strong winds and soaring temperatures .. it quickly destroyed more than 580
hectares of scrub and grassland.

The CFS says as many as ten homes were lost along with sheds and other buildings ..

and the local headquarters for the State Emergency Service.

Hundreds of people were reported to be fleeing Port Lincoln by car .. as thick smoke
blanketed much of the town.

Meanwhile .. another blaze .. at Ninga Ninga in the state's southeast .. continues
to burn out of control .. but it's expected fire crews and aerial water bombers will bring
it under control overnight.

The Bureau of Meteorology says cooler conditions will prevail across South Australia
tomorrow .. after the arrival of a southerly change with some rain.

AAP RTV jrd/wf

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES SA (ADELAIDE)

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.