As I read on the home page, the Port Lincoln Mayor is seeking penalties for the sightseers at emergencies, in particular, bushfires. Peter Davis has approached the SA Premier and the leader of the opposition for a combined legislation to introduce heavy fines for "gawkers", especially if they take photos or videos. These sightseers park in the way of emergency accesses, and stand around, while the fire fighters, ambulances and emergency service personnel are working their butts off to protect life and property. Then these spectators get in the way and risk their own lives, and possibly creating another emergency. The Mayor has not always pushed popular initiatives, but I believe he's on the money this time. Knowing this fella personally, he will probably get his wish. He's very strong and determined, as well as very conservative. He owns Boston Island in Boston Bay, where he runs sheep. Over the years he, with the help of his family have revegetated large areas of the island. I have also seen these sightseers getting in the way while "gawking". On KI my boyfriend at the time went to help the fire fighters. Everyone had parked along the roadside, for about a kilometre on the windward side of the fire. As the fire approached it headed towards the cars, so I moved the closest cars and ran back and forth until all the cars were in a safer area - about 20 of them. Luckily everyone had left the keys in the ignition. Also luck, there weren't any "gawkers" to get in the way, although I could have done with some help. The ****y's wife in the nearby house brewed the tea and made sangers for everyone. That's community.

yeah that sucks,if you can help out help out other wise piss off

I have to admit its hard not to watch a bushfire....from a safe distance and out of the way of course! Many of us grew up in the habit of scanning the horizon at every opportunity watching for fires. The habit is still with me.

But those "gawkers" really aught to be charged! Also the low lifes who wander through other peoples burnt out property, picking things up as if they owned them! Its looting! That happened after the fires in Canberra in 2003, and my friends (whose home was still standing among the ashes of their neighbors houses) said it was the worst thing about the whole event.

We got caught up in the Coleraine fire on Black saturday, few gawkers on the side of the road, ****y was having trouble getting cattle out of paddock, so we gave a hand. all others just sat there watching, until fire jumped the road then they took off.

Blind mongrels, staring at others' distress but not seeing the need to assist. Just selfish!

Granny........I've been a firey 26 years...........every fire.be it bush or house........ppl flock to watch..... "These sightseers park in the way of emergency accesses, and stand around, while the fire fighters, ambulances and emergency service personnel are working their butts off to protect life and property. Then these spectators get in the way and risk their own lives, and possibly creating another emergency." thats all so true.......why not just stay home and you will see more on TV news.. Its good to see the reporters and crew wearing protective clothing while at the scene... If your going to help....wear clothing that covers your body.......it makes me cringe..when I see ppl fighting fires in just shorts and thongs Dave

Like moths to a candle, people will come to watch a fire, it is human nature - get used to it.

Make it illegal if you like, fine people for doing it to raise revenue if you like but you will not stop it.

As much as I agree that folk should stay away as they sure do get in the way you won't change them.  Where is the line that can't be crossed?  100 metres, 1000 metres?

As a towing service operator for several years we had the exact same problem at every serious crash we attended, we had difficulty doing our job for spectators, many of whom feel they know better how to do our job and trying to tell us how to do a difficult recovery etc.

Cheers Neil

If they can't stay out of the way then then should join up, undertake the appropriate training, and then they can have the best of both of their worlds. I was a radio operator for SES and SA's CFS, and Broome's Sea Rescue. My place was in the base at the desk. Some do their bit in catering, preparing food and drink for the vollies out in the field. There are many ways to be of service without getting in the way. As for your distance request - 1km on the windward side of the fire, behind the fire, if they really HAVE to watch. As for vehicle crashes and floods, they can never be far enough away, but once again 1km from the scene or the danger would be advisable. Staying off the wharf when a victim of a marine accident is landed and transferred to an ambulance is highly recommended. Sometimes I wonder if those spectators get some sort of sadistic jolly out of watching the suffering of others.