Tens of thousands of lightning strikes spark dozens of fires across South Australia
Several bushfires are still burning across SA after a day of catastrophic dangerous fire conditions – many of them sparked by tens of thousands of lightning strikes that hit the state as a gusty cool change swept in.
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Tens of thousands of lightning strikes sparked dozens of bushfires across a tinder-dry state on Monday, amid catastrophic and dangerous fire conditions that left authorities on edge.
In another dramatic day, more than 600 firefighters tackled at least 120 blazes across the state, the majority of which were sparked by electrical storms.
Amid hot, dry and windy conditions, authorities were facing at least four major blazes on the Eyre Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Murraylands and the South-East, which collectively burnt through almost 30,000ha of scrub, forests and paddocks.
CFS crews also spent a tense day extinguishing spot fires and ember attacks in the Adelaide Hills despite cooler conditions, amid fears that shifting winds could reignite the Cudlee Creek fire front, 10 days after it erupted.
Authorities praised firefighters for stopping that blaze from spreading.
But a CFS spokeswoman said: “We are not out of the woods just yet.”
The severe thunderstorm warning has been updated for #SouthAustralia. A wind gust of 93 km/h was observed at Renmark at 3:47pm. More damaging wind gusts are possible in the warning area. See: https://t.co/80B88x1nIC pic.twitter.com/623rtgUgOy
— Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia (@BOM_SA) December 30, 2019
The Eyre Peninsula fire, which was sparked by lightning – one of more than 60,000 strikes – at Miltalie on the northwest outskirts of Cowell, 106km southwest of Whyalla, destroyed an ElectraNet power station, cutting electricity to at least 25,000 customers at one stage.
An emergency generator restored power to parts of the area, including Port Lincoln.
By late yesterday, more than 10,000 homes and business were blacked as firefighters battled to save multiple properties that were under threat.
A watch and act warning was issued as the blaze destroyed more than 14,000ha but has since been downgraded to an Advice message.
Another uncontrolled bushfire raged at Ravine on Kangaroo Island’s northwest edge, which had burnt more than 700ha of scrub and farms.
A similar warning was issued for a blaze at Keilira, on Padthaway’s southern outskirts, 287km southeast of Adelaide, which was also started by dry lightning.
Pulled over on the way back from Renmark to Adelaide. Glad we pulled over when we did, can’t even see my own bonnet. Be safe on the roads @abcadelaide pic.twitter.com/zieS8pdlQi
— Brittany Evins (@BrittanyEvins) December 30, 2019
Spanning 65km, flames have so far burnt more than 22,400ha of land amid fears of property damage.
The full extent of any damage remained unclear as authorities waited to enter the fire area and assess if any structures had been destroyed.
A scrub and stubble fire burning near Parilla, 21km east of Pinnaroo, near the Victorian border, destroyed more than 50ha. It was contained last night but caused thick smoke to still billow.
“The fire danger is not over,” said new CFS chief officer Mark Jones.
“These are dynamic and dangerous fires.
“A number of these have started from dry lightning. It is extremely difficult to predict in the conditions.” As the cool change swept across the state, wind gusts of up to 100km/h whipped up dust storms that reduced visibility on the state’s roads and highways.
Police also issued a safety warning for motorists.
Temperatures are expected to fall on Tuesday after records were broken in centres including Kyancutta, west of Port Augusta, which recorded its hottest December night at 28.3C. Adelaide is forecast to reach just 25C, following temperatures above 40C.
The extreme heat also forced the closure of 15 parks and reserves across the state.
Since Friday, SA Ambulance has reported 59 heat-related incidents including 37 transports to hospital.
Kangaroo Island fires
The fires burning out of control in the Ravine Des Casoars wilderness protection area at the western end of Kangaroo Island have been downgraded to a Watch and Act.
The CFS says the scrub fires at the Playford Highway and West End Highway are burning in a northerly direction toward Ravine Rd to the west, Snug Cove Rd to the east and the northern coastline.
The areas of Cape Borda, Cape Torrens and De Mole River are in the path of these fires.
#Bushfire Emergency Warning for #PLAYFORD_HWY/WEST_END_HWY_,_RAVINE #fire. You are in danger. Act now. #EWM ID=0004155 #SAFires https://t.co/HlEZfkYvwo pic.twitter.com/XhZAP8VPxe
— Country Fire Service (@CFSAlerts) December 30, 2019
A blaze at Duncan, also on KI, continues to burn but has been contained.
Kingston SE
Meanwhile, a Watch and Act message is current for a fire in the state’s South-East near Keilira, approximately 35km east of Kingston SE.
The scrub fire at Robertson Rd is uncontrolled and was heading towards Keilira but a wind change is now pushing it north-east past Woolumbool and Ballater roads, towards the Riddoch Highway.
More than 22,000 ha has been burned. Crews and aircraft are tackling the fire, thought to have been started by dry lightning.
Rowney Rd, which runs from the Riddock Highway to Kingston SE, is closed.
The fire is creating a lot of smoke and ash, with reports of smoke visible on the outskirts of Naracoorte.
A second fire at Rosetown and has been downgraded to an Advice message. It is burning in a westerly direction towards Catherine Gibson Way and First St at Kingston SE.
Cudlee Creek
Firefighters continue to battle blazes in the Adelaide Hills, where winds are increasing in speed.
CFS and MFS crews, along with locals, have jumped on a number of spot fires caused by flying embers and whipped up by the wind, which is increasing as the cool change comes through.
The Cudlee Creek fire is currently an Advice message and dozens of towns are at risk if the fire flares up.
A woman has also been charged for allegedly falsely claiming to be a victim to obtain donations.
Farm fire units putting out smouldering blazes on the #CUDLEE_CREEK fire ground as winds whip-up spot fires everywhere. @abcadelaide pic.twitter.com/yQ6wvWtmt1
— Stacey Lee (@Staceylee_) December 30, 2019
Residents race to put out spot fires, with the Hills in the grip of another catastrophic heat day. Details at 5 from @ChloeBouras @10NewsFirstAdl pic.twitter.com/St8WzfI4VG
— Alan Murrell (@AlanMurrell10) December 30, 2019
Eyre Peninsula
A Watch and Act message was issued for a fire burning at Miltalie on the Eastern Eyre Peninsula at Garths Highway, Kimba/Cowell Road. The blaze destroyed more than 14,000ha but has since been downgraded to an Advice message.
“A number of hot spots and smouldering areas remain in both the Cudlee Creek fires and the Kangaroo Island fires and the risk of outbreak is high,” said CFS chief officer Mark Jones earlier this week.
“We expect the township of Parndana to come under ember attack and direct attack by the (Duncan) fire,” the CFS said in a statement on the blaze on northern Kangaroo Island, which has the potential to break control lines.
The CFS also warned the situation in the Adelaide Hills could change rapidly, and residents should be on the lookout for “potential hot spots and reignitions”.
“Under the forecast, strong north-westerly winds, an outbreak of fire from the eastern side (in the vicinity of Harrogate or Rockleigh) would potentially see a significant fire burn through scrub and grassland in a south-easterly direction towards Monarto and Murray Bridge,” it said.
Emergency services are urging residents to be ready to activate their fire safety plans.
