‘Prepare to leave’: Bushfire rips through 650 hectares south of Adelaide
An out-of-control bushfire is threatening communities in Adelaide’s south and destroying 650 hectares.
The Country Fire Service (CFS) has warned residents that a fire broke out in Tooperang around 4.30pm on Sunday, destroying many spots on Nangkita Road.
Authorities have since upgraded the fire warning to watch and act, urging residents to “prepare to leave.”
The warning area hit Nankita Road, Cleland Gully Road, Stones Ford Road, Heifer Road and Through Road near Tooperang and Nangkita, 10 kilometers east of Compass Mountain on the Felurieu Peninsula.
“Take action immediately as this forest fire may threaten your safety. Check if the road is clear and move to a safer location,” the warning said.
“Do not enter this area as conditions are dangerous.”
Officials say the bush fire is burning south-southwest from Nankita Road to Cleland Gully Road and Through Road near Tooperang and Nangkita, 10 kilometers east of Mount Compass. The fire is currently burning in grass and brush and is uncontrolled; According to CFS, conditions are constantly changing.
‘Over 650 hectares of fire’ reveals extent of CFS bushfire
The fire ravaged 650 hectares and “affected” structures and farm sheds in the area between Nangkita Road and Cleland Gully Road.
Water bombs were dropped and CFS deployed more than 40 fire trucks along with more than 120 firefighters.
The CFS said multiple aircraft, including fire bombers and observation planes, alongside firefighters, were “working hard” in “inaccessible terrain”, including bush and woodland, to continue extinguishing the blaze on Monday.
They say firefighters were trying to put out the blaze before the wind was forecast to change around lunchtime on Monday. Focus efforts will be between Cleland Gully Road and Nangkita Road, where roads are currently closed.
CFS said that the cause of the fire has not yet been determined and that fire investigators will respond to the scene when it is “safe” to do so.
South Australian Police and the South Australian Ambulance Service are also present and supporting services to reduce the spread of the fire and limit its impact on the local community.
