CFS crews battle Adelaide Hills fires at Montacute, Hawthorndene

Two Adelaide Hills bushfires have now had their risks downgraded after emergency warnings were triggered as temperatures climbed into the 40s.

This article is unlocked and free to read in the interest of community health and safety. Get full digital access to trusted news from The Advertiser and Messenger with our great introductory offer.

Two Adelaide Hills bushfires have been downgraded after the CFS earlier issued Watch and Act messages at Hawthorndene and Montacute.

The second bushfire erupted close at Hawthorndene, near Belair, south east of the city on Saturday evening after crews spent much of the day trying to contain a blaze at Montacute.
Nine CFS trucks had been dispatched to the area by 7.30pm Saturday, as waterbombers quickly hit the area from the sky.

Emergency services were also expecting to work through the night on an uncontrolled bushfire at Montacute in the Adelaide Hills.
However, the Watch and Act warning on that blaze was also downgraded at about 8pm. The fire has now been contained.

The fire, which grew from five hectares to 20 hectare in 10 minutes, was burning freely in steep inaccessible terrain within the Black Hill Conservation Park.

It had spread to at least 50 hectares by Saturday evening.

Emergency services expected wind changes at around 4.30pm which could cause the fire activity to “escalate” and move in an easterly direction.

The fires erupted as temperatures in Adelaide’s CBD climbed as high as 40.6C, according to the Bureau of Meteorology

Montacute Fire information: map displaying the current area burnt and fire location. Stay up to date with current warnings and monitor conditions if you are in the area. pic.twitter.com/0mUt3pHsFU

— Country Fire Service (@CFSAlerts) January 14, 2023

The Country Fire Service (CFS) earlier downgraded their bushfire message to a watch and act message from an emergency level warning.

The message was issued for Gorge Rd, Main Ridge Track, Lodge Track, Pinkerton Gully Rd, Montacute and Castambul near Athelstone.

Water planes and helicopters battle the bushfire at Montacute in the Adelaide Hills, seen from the Lower North East Road, Highbury, SA. Picture: Emma Brasier

CFS, MFS and National Parks are currently on the scene. Picture: Chris Grant

Keith Fox, who lives adjacent to Gorge Rd, described the surrounding area as a “tinderbox”.

“It’s overgrown all the way down the road,” he said.

“After the winter period and increased growth, the council usually comes by to spray along the road,” he explained.

“I haven’t seen anything like that this year, I don’t know why.”

The alarm was first raised around 11am on Saturday along Gorge Rd.

The CFS said 69 fire trucks supported by nine aircraft including fire bombers and observational aircraft were working to contain the out-of-control blaze within the conservation park with additional trucks heading to the scene.

Road closures were in place including on Gorge Rd, Coulls Rd and Corkscrew Rd.

SA Police asked motorists to avoid the area if possible.

CFS state duty commander, Yvette Dowling told ABC Radio Adelaide no houses, sheds or building were under threat as the fire burned through Black Hill Conservation Park.

Smoke from the fire was visible from Athelstone. Picture: @BBPatz / Twitter

The Bureau of Meteorology, metrologist, Tom Boeck said the region was not expected to experience any “significant” rainfall despite light rainfall around the metropolitan area.

Adelaide experienced the highest temperature at 11.55am of 39.5C which has since dropped to 34.9C.

There has been light rain around metropolitan Adelaide, however not significant enough to appear on the rain gauge.

Wind direction is expected to change midafternoon from north-westerly to southerly as well as speed with wind forecast to pick up from 30km/h to 45km/h in the late afternoon.

Ms Dowling, CFS state duty commander, told ABC Radio Adelaide the weather “hasn’t been enough to assist firefighting efforts”.

“Crews will remain out there, especially as the wind change comes through, obviously that changes the conditions on the fire ground which makes it a dangerous place to be,” she said.

Fire crews are responding to a bushfire on Gorge Rd at Montacute. Picture: CFS

Meanwhile the Bureau issued a severe thunderstorm warning for damaging winds for people in Flinders and parts of eastern Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Mid North, Riverland, north west pastoral and north east pastoral districts.

The severe thunderstorm is likely to produce damaging winds in the next several hours.

Locations which may be affected include Whyalla, Port Augusta, Port Pirie, Clare, Roxby Downs and Leigh Creek.

On Friday, the CFS issued fire bans across South Australia as some of the state braces for extreme summer conditions.

The ban applies to the Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Flinders, Mid North, Mount Lofty Ranges, Yorke Peninsula, Upper South-East and the Lower South-East districts for 24 hours starting from midnight January 14 to midnight January 15.

The forecast fire danger rating is extreme as the CFS has predicted very hazardous fire weather conditions.

The authority is recommending those in an at-risk fire zone implement their Bushfire Survival Plan.

The CFS has issued a total fire ban across South Australia.

“Only well prepared, well constructed and actively defended houses are likely to offer safety during a fire,” the CFS fire ban alert read.

“If you don’t have a plan to ensure your survival, leaving early before a fire starts is your safest option.

“In making your plan, you should be aware that in high fire danger conditions, essential services including mains-fed electricity and water supply may not be available due to the prevailing weather conditions.”

Anyone seeking extra information is urged to contact the Bushfire Information Hotline on 1800 362 361.

The Bureau of Meteorology explained the conditions are dry and hot with north to north-westerly winds.

Metropolitan Adelaide and Mount Gambier are forecast to reach 38C, while temperatures will soar higher towards the north and east with Port Augusta and Renmark set to reach 42C.

Further west, temperatures are less severe with Port Lincoln and Ceduna both expecting temperatures in the low 30s.

A fresh, gusty south to south-westerly change extending from the west will cool the state down ahead of more mild conditions tomorrow.

Some isolated thunderstorms developing across the state from the late morning could provide some relief.

A heatwave warning previously issued for the North West Pastrol District has been cancelled.

BOM advised the severe conditions have eased in the west of the state, however maximum temperatures in the low to mid forties and overnight minimum temperatures in the mid to high twenties will continue.