Thread: Any one heading to the Simpson

Thanks for the post. We're not heading to the Simpson but will be in the Flinders Ranges and Lake Eyre area mid Nov, I'm guessing the fire risk will be pretty extreme right across the desert areas as the huge grass growth dries off over the next month or so.
Fair warning heeded, thanks

this is still going.

couple of points from briefing (yesterday (mon) ) about this from CFS.

•Fires are still currently burning in Northern Territory and northern South Australia.

•Estimated size of fire area from surveillance flight Wednesday 21st Sep 2011 is 4 million hectares.

•The southern edge of the fire in the North East of SA at that time was approximately 14 km from the NT/SA border in the vicinity of the French and QAA tracks. Both tracks are likely to be impacted during the next few days.

•Fire at the time was burning back on itself and flame height in places was 1-1.5 metres.

•There appears to be very little fire activity along the southern and western flanks of the fire from satellite monitoring this Monday morning.

Through consultation between SA CFS, SA POL and DENR the roads into the Simpson Desert Park were closed on Thursday, 22/9/2011 and will remain closed until further notice.

WEATHER:
•The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast escalating fire weather in the general area of the fire and indicates that Tuesday the 27th and Wednesday the 28th will be days of interest with Extreme Fire Danger rating forecast. Tuesday will be the most significant day with winds of 50kph from the North West in the afternoon. Temperature is forecast to be 38 degrees.
•The 4-day weather forecast received this morning indicates Extreme conditions are expected in the Simpson desert on Tuesday, with a GFDI of 90, temp 37, wind 45km/h N-NW. Wednesday; GFDI 63, temp 33, wind 40km/h W-NW.


Size: The area burnt by this fire is considerable. Aerial surveillance has indicated that the active edge is approximately 65 km long in the vicinity of French’s track and approximately 7 km north of that track.


I would suggest enquiries with DENR (SA), SA CFS or similar as to conditions prior to departure ould be a good idea if headed anywhere near these areas.

CFS :: Media Releases

now SA strike team (small) mobile from Region 4 (far north) to ALICE SPRINGS to assist. Have WILMINGTON, HAWKER STIRLING NORTH, ORROROO AND OTHER BRIGADES taking BWTs and going... If you see Nicoli (female f/fighter) from STIRLING NORTH its her first strike team, say Gday and wish her well!!


The media release page covers some info re tracks..

Cheers
Digger

*(*BWT = Big White Truck )

Gonna make finding firewood in the desert even harder


Martyn

Seems the SA firefighters are headed for Kings Canyon, as that is causing the most worries, probably due to disrupting tourist access. Henbury Station is the other main concern at this time, according to local ABC news this morning.

I read that the Simpson Desert was closed to all tourists this year/season
because of the fires.

Mrs hh

I have just got off the phone to the "Desert Parks Hotline"
The Simpson has just been opened up !
Access from the west is only via New Crown/Mt Dare as the track down to Oodnadatta is closed due to fires !

Scott