NewKerala.com

South Australia Bushfire Destroys 3 Structures, Forces Evacuations in WA

A bushfire near Deep Creek in South Australia has destroyed at least three structures and burned through more than 3,600 hectares of land. Firefighters are battling challenging conditions, including erratic coastal winds and difficult terrain in a national park. Simultaneously, authorities in Western Australia have issued an urgent "leave immediately" evacuation order for the community of Forest Grove due to a separate, life-threatening bushfire. Firefighting efforts in both states continue with aerial support and interstate crew reinforcements.

Key Points: SA Bushfire Burns 3,000+ Hectares, WA Issues Emergency Warning

  • 3 structures destroyed in SA fire
  • Fire perimeter spans 49 kilometers
  • Emergency evacuation in Western Australia
  • Firefighters from Victoria deployed to assist
  • Blaze fueled by coastal winds and terrain
2 min read

Three structures destroyed by South Australian bushfire

A bushfire in South Australia has destroyed three structures and burned over 3,000 hectares, while Western Australia issues an urgent evacuation order for Forest Grove.

"You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. - WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services"

Canberra, Feb 5

Three structures have been destroyed by a bushfire that has burnt more than 3,000 hectares of land in South Australia.

The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) said that the fire near the small town of Deep Creek, 85 km southwest of Adelaide in the state's Fleurieu Peninsula region, had burnt through 3,646 hectares and had a 49 km perimeter as of Thursday morning, reports Xinhua news agency

Authorities on Wednesday night confirmed that the fire, which has been burning since Sunday, has destroyed at least three structures.

The CFS said that firefighters had some success creating a perimeter around the northwest side of the fire on Wednesday, but that the fire is expected to remain erratic due to coastal winds and terrain that is hard to access in the Deep Creek National Park.

It said that people who wish to leave the area will be allowed to do so via closed roads, but will not be allowed to return until the fire is under control.

Firefighters from the neighbouring state of Victoria were expected to arrive in the area on Thursday to aid local crews who have been working since Sunday to protect nearby towns.

Meanwhile, residents and visitors on the southwest coast of Western Australia (WA) were on Wednesday evening ordered to evacuate due to the threat posed by a nearby bushfire.

A bushfire emergency warning issued by the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said that the fire is threatening lives and homes in the community of Forest Grove, about 250 km southwest of Perth.

The DFES said that the fire was contained but not controlled, and was moving in a northwesterly direction.

It said that people in part of Forest Grove should leave immediately if the way is clear, and that people who cannot leave should prepare to shelter in their homes.

"You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive," the warning said.

Firefighters are actively fighting the fire, and aerial support has been sent to assist ground crews, according to the warning.

Forest Grove had a population of 253 people at the time of the 2021 national census, while the town of Margaret River, around 15 km north, has a population of over 7,000.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Only three structures destroyed is actually a testament to the hard work of the firefighters, given the huge area burnt. Salute to the crews working since Sunday and those coming from Victoria. Our own firefighters in India face similar challenges in difficult terrain.
D
David E
The evacuation orders sound very scary. "You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive" – that's a chilling warning. Hope everyone in Forest Grove gets out safely. It's a small community, every person counts.
A
Ananya R
This is why international cooperation in disaster management is so important. Firefighters from Victoria helping in South Australia is a good example. We need more of this shared knowledge globally, especially for countries like India that are also vulnerable.
S
Siddharth J
Reading about the 49 km perimeter is mind-boggling. That's like the distance from South Delhi to Faridabad! Controlling a fire that big in coastal winds must be a nightmare. Respect to the ground and aerial crews.
K
Kavya N
While the response seems robust, it's worrying that the fire has been burning since Sunday. It makes me wonder about early detection systems and whether more could be done for prevention. Still, the priority now is keeping people safe. Hope the winds die down.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50