Battle against Finniss fire continues
Fire crews are continuing their battle against an out-of-control bushfire that is raging towards Finniss, on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula.
The Country Fire Service (CFS) has been tackling the blaze since early on Friday afternoon, with water bombers and an air crane assisting the 40 firefighters battling the blaze on the ground.
Some residents have already been evacuated, while others have chosen to stay and protect their properties from the flames.
In a warning issued just before 6pm, the CFS said the fire was burning to the west of Finniss.
“CFS advises that there is a serious bushfire burning out of control to the West of Finniss in the vicinity of Gilbert Siding and the properties of Bridge View and Thom-cur Park,” the warning read.
“The fire is currently to the West of the Finniss River, however there remains an ongoing risk to the township of Finniss and surrounding properties.
“Residents in the area need to remain aware that this fire may threaten your safety as weather conditions are continuously changing.
Earlier today, the CFS feared an expected wind change would accelerate push the fire towards the township of Finniss at a much faster rate.
The CFS has urged residents in the area to activate their bushfire survival action plan.
“Take shelter when the fire arrives and protect yourself from the fires heat,” a warning from the CFS at 4pm read.
“Only leave if the path is to a safe place.
“You should not enter this area as the roads may not be safe.”
The CFS was also responding to a bushfire at Truro, near the Barossa Valley, this afternoon, which was started by a fatal crash on the Sturt Highway.
The CFS also said a fire earlier in the day at Cunningham, near Ardrossan on the Yorke Peninsula, had been contained.
That fire is believed to have been started by a cigarette butt.
At 5pm, the CFS said it had also responded to and contained a blaze at the Hartley Dump at Monarto South, and that smoke from that fire may be visibly across the South Eastern Expressway at Monarto.
Meanwhile, the CFS says a fire at Sevenhill in the Clare Valley is still burning within control lines, but still has the potential to escape those lines.
The fires came as temperatures across the state rose above 40C, with Adelaide recording a maximum of 45C.
The hottest temperature today was at Wudinna, which reached a maximum of 48.2C.
