Crews continue forest fire fight
More than 200 firefighters are still battling a bushfire in forest near Jamestown in South Australia's mid-north.
Country Fire Service (CFS) crews fear a wind change this evening could fan the fire to the east and keep the fire burning for days.
The blaze began on Wednesday evening and burned through grassland before taking hold in the Bundaleer Forest.
It had already blackened 2300 hectares to 5pm on Thursday, and with crews also battling 43 degree heat, the CFS says it could be days until the blaze is contained.
Six strike teams from Adelaide, comprising 30 tankers and six command vehicles, have been deployed to assist the firefight.
“This will probably go into Saturday before we can actually call this contained,” said Mark Thomason, CFS State Coordinator.
Authorities fear a wind change at around 11pm on Thursday could fan the blaze in a north-easterly direction, which would create tough conditions for crews.
“It will be pine and native forest area, being dark, inaccessible terrain, it’s going to make it difficult for our firefighters,” Mr Thomason said.
Fire crews in Adelaide were also on high alert as the mercury rose to 43.1C.
The highest temperature recorded in South Australia today was sweltering 46C at Ceduna.
Relief is on its way tough, with a cool change overnight expected to bring Friday’s maximum down to 27C in Adelaide.
