Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers hit again by bushfires

The bushfires on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, which have ravaged a large swathe of the western part of the island continue to cause problems for farmers in the region.

In particular Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers (ASX: KPT) has felt the heat, with the fires forcing the company into voluntary suspension from the ASX while the damage is assessed.

On Thursday 9 January fires on the island reignited, causing further damage to an already decimated region.

KIPT says its own fire crews worked alongside South Australian Country Fire Service brigades in an attempt to contain the eastward spread of the fire after it escaped containment lines.

Unfortunately, KIPT says the fire burnt a large area of farmland, including several of the company's remaining plantations.

The map below shows the estimated burnt area at Kangaroo Island, with plantation areas on the island represented by the bright green colour.

It does not distinguish between KIPT's plantations (over 95 per cent fire affected) and the twelve independent plantation growers on the island (100 per cent fire affected).

The estimated area over which fires have burned is marked with diagonal black lines.

KIPT says its Timber Creek Mill was in the fire's path and suffered some damage, but its preservation plant at the Mill was undamaged.

"This equipment will be essential in turning smaller fire-damaged pine logs into much-needed treated fence posts," says KIPT.

"About 3,000km of fencing will have to be replaced urgently on Kangaroo Island following the fires, and mainland supplies of fence posts will be needed in the Adelaide Hills and other fire-affected regions of Australia."

The company is still considering options for the salvage of the remaining fire-damaged timber.

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Business News Australia