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Thread: Off to Kangaroo Island for a few days.....

  1. 14th December 2007, 11:44 AM #1
    Treads Guest

    Cool Off to Kangaroo Island for a few days.....

    Just got my orders for deployment to KI for their fires! Leave on a B737 tomorrow. Apparently it's gone to the dogs again

    Acquired a 1:50000 topo map for ozi on the PDA/GPS, looks like a nice place to go. Can anyone tell me a bit about the terrain?
    I'll be driving a 13t 4wd tanker when I get there, so a heads up on the condition of the roads etc would be great. Looks from the topo that it only rises to 250 odd meters, but can't quite tell what the soil is. Sand, clay, black?
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  2. 14th December 2007, 11:50 AM #2
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    From what I have heard the dirt roads can be treacherous. Small round gravel, a bit like driving on ball bearings. Many unsuspecting tourists have driven off the road / rolled over because of it.
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  3. 14th December 2007, 12:17 PM #3
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    I was living in Port Lincoln when the fires went through around it.

    "Be Carefull"

    and thanks for the great job that all the firies do in all states.

    BradM
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  4. 14th December 2007, 12:25 PM #4
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    cookiesa
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    I live on the "mainland" in suburbia now but just want to say a big THANK YOU to all those fire fighters for coming to help. A lot of people forget these are volunteers.

    THANKS AGAIN TO YOU AND YOUR PATIENT FAMILIES, Keep safe.

    As for the conditions as mentioned it is fairly flat, good solid gravel but as mentioned has a tendancy to be like driving on ball bearings. It is actually a nice place to visit (not at the moment of course!) There are a few areas with very poor access (parks... surprise, surprise) no doubt this is making things harder.
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  5. 14th December 2007, 12:31 PM #5
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    G'day Treads

    I have a recollection from a wildlife show that KI has a fair population of "Joe Blakes" of the not too friendly type and a fair few holes (rabbit,snake etc.) KEEP SAFE

    cheers
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  6. 14th December 2007, 12:36 PM #6
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    Apparently no Rabbits or Foxes on KI & only 2 species of Snakes. One of those is the Tiger Snake.
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  7. 14th December 2007, 12:38 PM #7
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    For years there has been a big problem with overpopulation of Koala's.... watch out for the killer drop bears although this might not be much of an issue for much longer.

    Apparently the fires have now burn't approximately 1/5th of the island.
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  8. 14th December 2007, 12:57 PM #8
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    Stay safe brother.......

    We (CFA Reg 5) sent a strike team over Monday morn, getting back tonight........

    I was going to go but after last weeks fatal job I thought better of it......
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  9. 14th December 2007, 01:00 PM #9
    Graz
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    Good one Treads. Stay safe.
    Don't take any unnecessary risks, the vegetation will grow back and buildings readily replaced though I guess you are regularly told that anyway.
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  10. 14th December 2007, 03:37 PM #10
    dromader driver
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    KI update

    Came back late last night. 5 fires from lightning strikes burnt about 30 00 hectares by yesterday morning. 2 fires of concern called Chase and Destrees. Chase is going to burn to the west coast after it blew through a containment line late wednesday and we couldn't hold it. Destrees is in the SE and also blew off a containment line and will burn to the coast. Lots of high value residences.

    One cocky was seen putting in a firebreak with a disc plough at sufficient speed to throw the dirt over the fence. Think he was a bit motivated.

    Watch the west coast as the fuel load is very high and has not burnt in some places for 65 years. Lots of road kills but mostly small stuff. Didn't see any big skippy's either alive or dead.

    Staging area is at Parndana with tent accomodation. Total firefighters yesterday morning was 600.

    If you are on a big red truck the logistics are good but the intelligence can be bad due to very high smoke loads. At night can be cold due to maritime influence.

    Just be very careful and don't get cut off from an escape route. Weather can bring wind from any direction.

    DONT SPEED ON THE DIRT ROADS.
    Dromader driver.
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