A “monster” bushfire has scorched hundreds of hectares and destroyed structures as emergency crews fight to control the blaze.
The fierce bushfire burning east of Mount Compass in the Fleurieu Peninsula, south of Adelaide, broke out about 4.30pm on Sunday.
More than 200 firefighters backed by about 60 trucks toiled through Sunday night in a bid to stop the blaze from spreading.
More than 120 firefighters, including volunteers, on Monday continued to fight the fire at Tooperang, working to limit its impact along with 40 vehicles and water bombers.
“The fire is currently burning in grass and scrub and remains uncontrolled,” a SA Country Fire Service statement said.
At least three structures have been impacted by the blaze that has burnt more than 650 hectares, with a family of five reportedly losing their home.
Alpaca farmer Chris Williams spent a nervous night after being warned the fire was tracking toward his Mount Compass property.
“It was a worry. We could see the glow and smell the smoke. It wasn’t a good feeling,” he told AAP.
It’s not the first time fire has threatened his alpaca farm in the heart of cattle country after extensive damage in 2019.
“It came within 75 metres of the house back then. We weren’t taking any chances this time,” Mr Williams said.
“A bushfire is a monster. It has no regard for any property or possessions. It makes its own weather and burns wherever and whatever it wants.
“All you can do is prepare as best you can, but that’s farming.”
Surrounded by an “army of family”, Mr Williams said conditions had eased overnight and hoped the blaze would be contained.
Crews were working hard in inaccessible terrain, the Country Fire Service said.
“Crews will continue to work throughout the day to extinguish the fire ahead of a wind change forecast for around lunchtime today.”
A watch and act alert was issued on Monday morning for an area including Tooperang, Nangkita, Mount Jagged and Mosquito Hill.
“Prepare to leave. Take action now as this bushfire may threaten your safety,” the Country Fire Service message said.
Road closures are in place throughout the area but no injuries have been reported.
A woman said her family of five’s motorhome on a Nangkita property was destroyed by fire within 20 minutes of receiving an alert to evacuate.
“It was like a war zone,” Natasha Price told ABC Radio.
State MP David Basham, who used to have a dairy farm in the area, said he had helped locals move cattle to safety.
“I went with a friend who owns a property directly in the path of the fire,” the MP posted on social media.
https://thewest.com.au/news/disaster-and-emergency/monster-structures-lost-in-uncontrolled-bushfire-c-21352990
