South Australia: Bushfire rips through 650 hectares south of Adelaide
An out of control bushfire is threatening communities south of Adelaide, ripping through 650 hectares of land.
The Country Fire Service (CFS) alerted residents a fire in Tooperang broke out at about 4.30pm on Sunday, and was burning off several points from Nangkita Road.
Since then, authorities have escalated the fire warning to a watch and act level, urging residents to “prepare to leave”.
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“Take action now as this bushfire may threaten your safety. Check that the path is clear and go to a safer place,” the alert said.
“Do not enter this area as conditions are dangerous”.
Authorities say the scrub fire is burning in a south-south-westerly direction from Nankita Road towards Cleland Gully Road and Through Road near Tooperang and Nangkita, 10 kilometres east of Mount Compass. The fire is currently burning in grass and scrub and remains uncontrolled, with conditions continually changing according to the CFS.
‘Fire over 650 hectares,’ CFS reveals extent of bushfire
The blaze has ravaged through 650 hectares and has “impacted” structures and farm sheds in the area between Nangkita Road and Cleland Gully Road.
Water bombers have been dropped and CFS have deployed over 40 fire trucks with more than 120 firefighters.
CFS say several aircraft, including firebombers and observational aircraft, alongside firefighters are “working hard” through “inaccessible terrain,” including scrub and plantation to continue to extinguish the fire on Monday.
They say firefighters are trying to extinguish the fire ahead of a wind change forecast for around lunchtime on Monday. The focus efforts will be between Cleland Gully Road and Nangkita Road, which currently have road closures in place.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with fire investigators set to attend the scene when it is “safe,” CFS says.
South Australian Police and South Australian Ambulance Service are also present, supporting the services to reduce the spread of the fire and limit the impact to the local community.
Originally published as ‘Prepare to leave’: Bushfire rips through 650 hectares south of Adelaide
