Residents south of Adelaide have been forced to prepare to evacuate as an uncontrolled bushfire continues to burn across the Fleurieu Peninsula, destroying homes and scorching hundreds of hectares of land.
Firefighters Battle Blaze in Inaccessible Terrain
The fire, which ignited near Mount Compass at approximately 4:30pm on Sunday, has already burnt through more than 650 hectares of grass and scrub. The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) confirmed the blaze remains uncontrolled, with more than 120 firefighters and 60 vehicles, supported by water bombers, working to contain it.
Crews are facing challenging conditions in difficult terrain. The CFS stated they are working hard to extinguish the fire ahead of a predicted wind change expected around lunchtime on Monday.
Watch and Act Alerts Issued for Multiple Towns
Authorities issued a formal Watch and Act alert on Monday morning for the communities of Tooperang, Nangkita, Mount Jagged, and Mosquito Hill. Residents in these areas were instructed to prepare to leave their properties immediately.
At least three structures have been impacted, with one family of five reportedly losing their home. Road closures are in effect throughout the region, though no injuries have been reported at this time.
Residents Describe 'Monster' Fire and Swift Destruction
Local alpaca farmer Chris Williams, whose property was threatened during a major fire in 2019, spent an anxious night monitoring the blaze. "We could see the glow and smell the smoke. It wasn't a good feeling," he said. Williams described a bushfire as a "monster" that creates its own weather and burns indiscriminately.
Another resident, Natasha Price, told ABC Radio that her family's motorhome on a Nangkita property was destroyed by fire within 20 minutes of receiving an evacuation alert. "It was like a war zone," she said.
Local MP David Basham assisted in moving cattle to safety from properties in the fire's path, highlighting the community effort to mitigate losses.
Broader Context of a Warming Climate
The incident occurs during a week of high fire danger ratings across much of South Australia. It follows the Bureau of Meteorology's confirmation that 2025 was Australia's fourth-warmest year on record, with national average temperatures 1.23°C above the norm.
Climate scientists warn that the climate crisis is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves and bushfires. The Bureau's long-range forecast predicts hotter-than-average conditions for much of the country until at least April.
While a high-pressure system may bring more settled weather to parts of Australia on Tuesday, the threat of bushfires remains a persistent and growing challenge for communities across the nation.
