From 9News:
“At least two people are dead and 13 people remain in hospital, five of them in serious or critical conditions, after yesterday’s devastating Pinery bushfire in South Australia.
South Australian premier Jay Weatherill confirmed “grave fears” were held for more people, with the full cost of the blaze still to unfold.
Watch the TODAY Show [for live stream occasional coverage of] the latest fire updates.
“We can’t be sure we have identified every single person in the fireground,” Mr Weatherill told a press conference this morning.
A 56-year-old woman was killed in a car in Hamley Bridge, while the body of 69-year-old man was found in a paddock in Pinery. Their families have been notified. Thirteen people remain in hospital, five of those of whom are in serious or critical conditions. One of those has burns to around 80 percent of their body. At least two of those injured
At least 16 homes have been destroyed.”
At least what is shown in the video, standing ripe small grains, is a very hot and challenging and very dangerous fuel type to fight during a strong wind event.
You might not believe it but you can have a running crown fire in that fuel. Making the flanks a very dangerous place to be as the heat still in the area behind the flaming front is often too high to successfully make a break through the front and survive.
Heavy machinery such as a disc or a road patrol or a retardant line backed up with LOTS of engines is often the only effective method. IF you have the resources.
Good luck Australia.
As I watched the SEAT make its 400 gallon water drop I thought to myself “how insignificant is that?” Big fires require Big air tankers. The folks on the 747 project appear to be on the right path. If you are going to be serious about playing the fire suppression game, play as you intend to win.