Fire crews are working through the night to stop the Adelaide Hills bushfire from extending further as winds and temperatures are expected to increase, the Country Fire Service (CFS) says.
A small fire burns after a bushfire moved through the area near One Tree Hill in the Adelaide Hills. Photo: AFP
More than 700 firefighters were at the fireground yesterday in Adelaide's north-east, working to secure the blaze ahead of 38 degrees Celsius temperatures forecast for today and tomorrow, the ABC reported.
The fire had burnt more than 12,000 hectares and destroyed or badly damaged 26 homes so far.
Authorities have continued to assess the damage from the fire, which started on Friday afternoon at Sampson Flat, with the number of houses destroyed expected to climb.
CFS assistant chief officer Malim Watts said crews would be kept busy.
"Monitoring hot spots and ensuring, where they can and it's safe to do so, that they'll extinguish those," he said.
"But it's continuing to ensure that the further extension of the fire is halted and extinguished in preparation for the weather that's coming on Wednesday."
Thirty-seven families have been provided with temporary accommodation, South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill said.
Of the 59 areas that authorities were checking in the wake of bushfire, 20 had already been assessed for damage, Mr Weatherill said.
A total of 41 outbuildings, such as sheds, have also been destroyed or damaged, but that number was expected to climb as assessments continued.
Destroyed cars stand among the debris of a destroyed home after a bushfire moved through the area near Kersbrook in the Adelaide Hills. Photo: AFP
He also said there had been reports of injury or hospitalisation of 29 people, including one serious asthma attack.
Mr Weatherill said the fire was continuing to burn and there remained a "very clear danger".
"There are a number of flare-ups across the fireground," he said.
"Trees continue to burn and may fall. Fires from flare-ups can burn rapidly and be erratic, so be aware of fire danger in your area on an ongoing basis."
