Image credit: SA Country Fire Service
The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) is continuing to respond to the fire between Deep Creek National Park and Cape Jervis in the Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia.
The CFS has updated their bushfire warning level with a downgrade: Advice – Stay Informed at 12:12pm.
The CFS advises that at this time there is no threat life or property and firefighters are attending this fire.
If you are within Deep Creek, Silverton and Blowhole Beach Road, 8 kilometers east of Cape Jervis near the Fleurieu Peninsula, the advice is to stay informed.
Thanks to the hard work of firefighters overnight, the fire was halted approximately 1km from the township of Cape Jervis. Crews implemented a number of techniques including direct asset protection and creating control lines with heavy machinery and burning to the south of Blowhole Road.
This fire still remains uncontrolled and has now burnt more than 1,600 hectares and continues to burn on multiple fronts in steep inaccessible terrain. Predicted wind changes today continue to increase the unpredictability of this fire and anyone within the area should stay informed and enact their bushfire plan as needed.
There continues to be a warning message issued for this fire. Please stay informed through the CFS website (cfs.sa.gov.au) or Alert SA app. Ongoing updates and community information on this fire can now be found on the CFS website at https://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/warnings/incidents-warnings/deep-creek-fire/
CFS Community Liaison Officers will be available to provide information to the community from 1pm in front of the local tavern, corner of Ransford Street and Flinders Drive, in Cape Jervis.
There continues to be a warning message issued for this fire. Please stay informed through the CFS website (cfs.sa.gov.au) or Alert SA app. Ongoing updates and community information on this fire can now be found on the CFS website at https://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/warnings/incidents-warnings/deep-creek-fire/
CFS Community Liaison Officers will be available to provide information to the community from 1pm in front of the local tavern, corner of Ransford Street and Flinders Drive, in Cape Jervis.
There are currently more than 260 firefighters on 40 trucks and 15 support vehicles working to contain this fire and undertaking active asset protections with crews from CFS, Farm Fire Units, SA Metropolitan Fire Service, Department for Environment and Water and Forestry SA on the fireground. Today’s priorities are implementing control lines with support from heavy machinery and back burning. Crews are supported by 11 aircraft, including firebombers and observational aircraft, who are working on active suppression and control lines using retardant.
The CFS thank the local community and our partner agencies including SA Ambulance Service, St John Ambulance, the Salvation Army, private contractors and the Yankalilla Council for their ongoing support.
The fire is currently burning along Main South Road and it is closed between Cole Road, Delamere to Cape Jervis. Smoke from this fire may also be impacting surrounding areas and emergency services will continue working on and around roads. Motorists are urged to avoid the area.
Deep Creek National Park is now completely closed, and Talisker Conservation Park remains fully closed.
The public may notice a lot of smoke extending across to Kangaroo Island and the Yorke Peninsula. As a precaution residents who suffer from respiratory or cardiac conditions may wish to consider closing all doors and windows and remaining indoors.
A CFS staging area is operating at the Yankalilla Showgrounds, and Yankalilla Oval is being used for aviation operations. The public is asked to stay clear of these areas.
People are also reminded this is an active fireground where the situations is constantly changing. Anyone is the area is reminded to stay away where possible and follow directions from emergency service personnel. This includes the use of drones which pose a serious risk to firefighting aircraft and must be kept well away from firegrounds.
REMINDER: PLEASE DO NOT FLY DRONES ANYWHERE NEAR THE FIRE, as it will prevent air support and put CFS crews at risk.
For updates, check the CFS website at cfs.sa.gov.au or phone the Information Hotline on 1800 362 361.
MORE INFO
Homes that have been built to withstand a bushfire, and are prepared to the highest level, may provide safety.
You may lose power, water, phone and data connections.
Fire crews are responding but you should not expect a firefighter at your door.
What you should do
Check and follow your Bushfire Survival Plan.
Protect yourself from the fire’s heat – put on protective clothing.
Tell family or friends of your plans.
If you are leaving
Leave now, don’t delay.
Roads may become blocked or access may change. Smoke will reduce visibility.
Secure your pets for travel.
If you become stuck in your car, park away from bushes, cover yourself, get onto the floor as the windows may break from the intense heat.
If you are not leaving – prepare to defend
Identify a safe place inside, with more than one exit, before the fire arrives. Keep moving away from the heat of the fire.
Bring pets inside and restrain them.
Move flammable materials such as doormats, wheelie bins and outdoor furniture away from your house.
Close doors and windows to keep smoke out.
If you have sprinklers, turn them on to wet the areas.
If the building catches fire, go to an area already burnt. Check around you for anything burning.
Stay informed
CFS website cfs.sa.gov.au
Information Hotline 1800 362 361
For hearing or speech impaired users, phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 1800 362 361
For teletype service TTY 133 677 then ask for 1800 362 361
Alert SA Mobile App
On local ABC radio, FIVEaa, or one of the other Emergency Broadcast Partners
For emergencies call Triple Zero (000).
