Emergency Warning issued at 6:55pm – DEEP CREEK Bushfire – Take Shelter Now
WARNING AREA
Deep Creek, Silverton and Blowhole Beach Road, and Cape Jervis, near the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia
ACTION
Take shelter now in a solid building. You are now in danger. Do not delay. Do not leave or enter this area in a vehicle or on foot. It is too late to leave as the roads will not be safe. Conditions are dangerous and firefighters are now unable to prevent the fire spreading. Shelter before the fire arrives as heat can kill you well before the flames reach you. The Deep Creek fire is uncontrolled. This scrub fire is burning in a west north westerly direction towards Cape Jervis, Silverton, Deep Creek and Main South Road, north west of the Deep Creek National Park. . Conditions are continually changing.
Main South Road is now closed to westbound traffic between Cole Road, Delamere and Cape Jervis due to the Deep Creek bushfire.
Restricted access remains for anyone looking to leave Cape Jervis, however, this situation is constantly changing and the road may be fully closed at short notice based on conditions.This closure will significantly affect travellers heading to or from Kangaroo Island, including those with booked ferry services. The SeaLink ferry is still running, however anyone looking to enter the Cape Jervis area is advised to stay away where possible.Other road closures include:
– Blowhole Beach Road
– Tent Rock Road south of the Three Bridges Road intersection
– Talisker Road
– Rarkang RoadIt is unknown when the roads will be reopened. Visit traffic.sa.gov.au for more information on road closures.Emergency services are working in the area and conditions remain dangerous. Please avoid the region and follow all traffic directions.Do not enter closed roads. Your safety and the safety of firefighters depends on it.
Earlier operational information issued at 5:49am provides further context on the scale of the response and the challenges crews are facing. The fire was first reported at around 4:40pm on Sunday, burning in grass and scrub in steep, inaccessible terrain within Deep Creek Conservation Park, adjacent to Blowhole Beach Road and west of the Goondooloo Ridge Track. The fire has split into two separate fronts, burning on both sides of Blowhole Beach Road.
Overnight, 175 firefighters on 35 trucks, supported by several firefighting aircraft, worked in difficult conditions to protect threatened assets. Replacement crews from the Country Fire Service, Department for Environment and Water, and Forestry SA are now on the fireground, with aerial firefighting continuing throughout Monday.
At this stage, no loss or damage has been reported, however authorities warn the fire is expected to remain uncontained for an extended period. The cause of the fire is not yet known, with fire investigators to attend when conditions allow.
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).
