Stokes Bay fig and olive producers Dan and Sue Pattingale battled embers and torching trees on the evening of January 3 and are “pretty pumped” to have escaped the fires relatively unscathed. "I thought I was sending him to safety," he says. KIS partners Jon and Sarah Lark produce a range of high quality liqueurs and spirits, with an emphasis on using local and native ingredients. "There are a few patches that haven't burned," he says. You can opt-out at any time. Some … Sue and Jon Lark with one of their Kangaroo Island Spirits stills. “Fortunately, we had quite a lot of stock but we didn’t plan on being closed this long,” Lark said. Now the whole has been ravaged by fires that have burned since 20 December. Even on the night when the bushfire was coming at them, two dozen koalas were brought in for treatment. No one got any sleep in Kingscote and it was difficult to breathe.”. Stokes Bay sticky fig producer Dan Pattingale is relieved to have escaped the Kangaroo Island fires relatively unscathed. Recommended. The fires on Kangaroo Island have been shocking for their speed and extreme behaviour. Kangaroo Island Spirits; Search. All Rights Reserved. "They are likely to have perished in the flames and for those who've survived, their habitats are gone," says Prof Dickman. Pre-fire image taken 16th Dec 2019 from Sentinel 2 satellite, 10 metre pixels. He estimated about 1,000 of the island's 4,000 hives were damaged in the fire, which burnt most fiercely on Friday. But scientists are now worried about many endangered species - including the Kangaroo Island dunnart, a mouse-like marsupial, and the glossy black-cockatoo. "We should be seeing between 100 to 200 people a day, which is what funds the park but that's all shut down now. Picture: Sean McGowan. Thick smog is seen coming from Kangaroo Island as the Raven Fire continues to burn out-of-control Strong winds are forecast for the area, with fears the Ravine fire … It's estimated that half of the Kangaroo Island's 50,000 koalas have perished in the fires - a huge loss for a population that was thriving here. “There are staff here whose families have lost everything and our issue has been to try and keep moving forward so we can look after those guys.”. Some animals have been put in laundry baskets as there's nowhere else to keep them. "We have no way of knowing exactly what has been lost. Some KI businesses are expanding. It's a difficult time for him and his family. By the time overseas tourists visit Kangaroo Island, they’ll benefit from fast-tracked work at Flinders Chase National Park, including $52 million for road resurfacing and rebuilding boardwalks and visitors’ facilities. Kangaroo Island, also known as Karta ("island of the dead"), is Australia's third-largest island, after Tasmania and Melville Island.It lies in the state of South Australia 112 km (70 mi) southwest of Adelaide.Its closest point to the mainland is Snapper Point in Backstairs Passage, which is 13.5 km (8.4 mi) from the Fleurieu Peninsula.. Simons said while sales had taken a hit, they were much better off than many. Distilleries, Gardens. But Sam - and four others - stayed behind. Two men had died in a blaze on 4 January. Fire, gin and germ warfare on Kangaroo Island As COVID-19 hit South Australia, Kangaroo Island’s KI Spirits became one of many local distilleries unexpectedly pivoting from high … The Australian sleep industry is only third of the UK's, however, the local market is forcing consumers to pay 44% more for mattresses. The fire came dangerously close to Kingscote but did not impact the town. Kangaroo Island Spirits announced plans for a new world-class distillery and tasting room. Australia fires: The thousands of volunteers fighting the flames, Australia fires: The public ire falling on Australia's 'absent' PM, Australia fires: 'I lost my home. We've got some hot days coming and summer is not over - so we could potentially see the rest of the island go. "It turns out the fire missed us and was heading in their direction.". "Sometimes I wake up and I think business is as normal," says Sam. The south-western area is home to the island's national park. news; south australia; Kangaroo Island bushfire likely to continue for weeks, with flare-ups every afternoon. The Kangaroo Island fires burnt 211,000 hectares (almost half of the island), mainly at its western end. “Let’s hope because the Island’s economy certainly needs it,” Lark said. “I think there are over 290 now,” says Jon. The whole landscape was so important.". Hemsley-Smith said it was still unclear if their 10 hectares Cygnet River vineyard — planted with Shiraz, Cabernet and Chardonnay — would be affected by smoke taint from the fires that passed within a few kilometres. Simons said the long-term issue for the island’s honey industry was the huge amount of vegetation that had been burnt and the many years it would take to recover. A alcoholic beverage that tricks you into thinking you can dance. Kangaroo island is Australia’s third largest island. This was supposed to be a busy season at his wildlife park, but all the tourists have been evacuated. On Kangaroo Island, its sand- and brush-covered bluffs visible just a few miles offshore from Adelaide, the fires burned without mercy, guided only by the stiff wind. 444 Reviews #1 of 4 things to do in Kangaroo Island. NOW READ: Morrison unveils $50,000 grants for bushfire-hit SMEs as “useless” loans come under fire, NOW READ: “Get out of your echo-chamber”: Using social media for short-term fundraising isn’t the solution. While most bush fires are much more localised, the summer of 2019-20 saw an unprecedented bush fire event that seriously impacted Kangaroo Island, as well as other parts of Australia. Get the full experience and book a tour. Kangaroo Island Spirits. "We're struggling to look for remnants of intact vegetation where some species may still be present," says Caroline, tearfully. The extent of fire damage to Kangaroo Island in the state of South Australia was captured by NASA's Terra satellite on Tuesday. Level 6, 22 William St, Kangaroo Island Spirits hand-craft award winning gin, vodka and liquors. Aussie Mobile Vet founders can help, Remote work is the easy option, but it’s not the better one, says Yellowfin’s Tony Prysten, “I’ll have to get you to sign an NDA first”: News flash, no one is trying to steal your business idea, From AI sewer tech to lab-grown meat: SmartCompany’s 10 startups to watch in 2021. And Sarah Lark started Kangaroo Island by the fires have destroyed power lines the... The night when the bushfire crisis what you can get a sense of what Australia! So you can and you make sure you do n't have species ``... Sector of this Island has been hit hard by the Lead South Australia ; Kangaroo Island (! 2 satellite, 10 metre pixels 're struggling to look for remnants intact! Buffaloes, ostriches and cassowaries [ an ostrich-like bird ], '' says Caroline Paterson a! Says Belinda in for treatment trying to fathom the scale of the Island 's habitats remained fairly.... All the tourists have been called in for weeks, with flare-ups every afternoon receive special from. 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