SA: Firefighter shortage after helping in NSW fires

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2001
SA: Firefighter shortage after helping in NSW fires

Police say a bushfire in South Australia has taken longer than expected to control
because firefighters have been sent to battle blazes in New South Wales.

It took about 50 firefighters nearly three hours to extinguish the blaze yesterday,
which burnt 156 hectares of grassland and pine forest near Naracoorte, about 400km south
east of Adelaide.

Sergeant PHIL EMMETT from Naracoorte Police says firefighting resources were stretched
to the limit.

He says manpower was slightly down, with more than 375 firefighters leaving South Australia
yesterday to help fight the blazes in NSW.

Sgt EMMETT says the fire began about 4pm (CST) at Moorex, north of Naracoorte and damaged
fencing but caused no injuries.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

AAP RTV bw/jtb

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES SA (ADELAIDE)

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