Record-breaking temperatures and fierce winds have left fire services struggling to contain a bushfire south of Adelaide, and residents are being urged to flee their homes or enact their bushfire survival plans.
The Country Fire Service (CFS) has issued a watch and act warning for Inman Valley – near Stockwell and Kemmiss Hill road – saying lives could be threatened as the out-of-control fire moves north.
#Bushfire at #INMAN_VALLEY may threaten your safety at Inman Valley #WAM ID=0001984 https://t.co/ytS1XUfdPl pic.twitter.com/0uBudfUJ2S
— Country Fire Service (@CFSAlerts) April 8, 2018
The fire began on Sunday morning and was still uncontrolled by Sunday afternoon.
“If you are not prepared, leave now,” the CFS warning said. “Only leave if the path is clear to a safer place.”
The CFS also declared a total fire ban for the Mount Lofty Ranges district on Sunday following a forecast for hazardous fire weather conditions.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Peter Webb said the temperature had already hit 34C in Adelaide before midday on Sunday, with a forecast of 35C and 33C over the next two days. “That has never ever happened before in April,” he said.
He said the temperature would soar on Monday with parts of the north and west of the state expected to hit 39 to 40C.
Peta O’Donohue, from the South Australian CFA’s public information unit, said there was not yet information about the cause of the Inman Valley fire.
“Crews are working to contain it, but it’s not contained at this stage,” she said.
“We also have a number of small fire incidents which aren’t a threat at the moment, but we are expecting the winds to pick up this afternoon so we are maintaining readiness.”
She said the region had received little rainfall and was experiencing drought, and the hot weather meant backburning had begun a bit later in the season.
South Australia police said emergency road closures should not stop people from leaving an area where there was danger. Residents were urged to stay tuned to their local ABC on a battery-powered radio for updates.
