Residents on the Fleurieu Peninsula are continuing to assess the damage from a major bushfire near Tooperang, as fire crews work to secure the fireground and extinguish remaining hotspots.
The Tooperang bushfire, burning about five kilometres east of Mount Compass, has now burnt more than 650 hectares of scrub, grass and plantation between Nangkita Road and Cleland Gully Road since it began on Sunday afternoon.
The Country Fire Service says the cause of the fire is not being treated as suspicious at this stage, with early indications suggesting it may have been sparked by a vehicle experiencing mechanical issues. Investigations are continuing in conjunction with SA Police.
The fire was downgraded from a Watch and Act message to an Advice level yesterday (Monday the 19th of January), however the blaze remains uncontrolled, with crews warning conditions could change quickly.
More than 120 CFS volunteer firefighters and 30 trucks are now working on the fireground, after overnight efforts were successful in holding control lines. Crews are focused on securing and blacking out hotspots, with several flare-ups extinguished overnight.
Firefighters are being supported by a large multi-agency response, including the Department for Environment and Water, St John Ambulance, the Salvation Army, private contractors, Farm Fire Units, Forestry SA, SA Ambulance Service, the Metropolitan Fire Service, the State Emergency Service and SA Police. Firebombing aircraft carried out more than 50 drops on Monday to assist ground crews, with backburning continuing into the night to strengthen containment lines.
Three structures have been confirmed lost, with impacts also reported to vineyards, farmland and vegetation. Livestock losses are expected, although the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. Emergency services say numerous properties were saved due to the efforts of firefighters under difficult conditions.
Nangkita Road and Cleland Gully Road remain closed, however motorists are warned this may change at short notice. Residents are being urged to stay away from the area while firefighting operations continue.
Among those impacted is Tooperang resident Natasha Price, whose family lost their converted motorhome at Nangkita during the fire.
The mother of three has described the scene along Nangkita Road as dark and blackened, with trees gone and small fires still glowing across the ground. She says while the main house on the property survived, around 30 acres of surrounding conservation land was destroyed.
The family stayed with relatives overnight and is now facing uncertainty about what comes next.
CFS crews remain on the fireground today, with a focus on mopping up, patrolling the fire edge and extinguishing hay bales that continue to produce smoke. Residents may see smoke throughout the day and into the night, with authorities warning conditions remain dangerous.
People are urged to continue monitoring official warnings and avoid the area.
For the latest information on the fire, head to the CFS website or call the Information Hotline on 1800 362 361.
