INFERNO AT DEEP CREEK: Uncontrolled Fire Threatens Adelaide’s South as 3,700 Hectares Burn

ADELAIDE, SA – A “dynamic and unpredictable” bushfire continues to rage across the Fleurieu Peninsula, with South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) officials warning that the blaze is still out of control as of Friday afternoon. What began as a scrub fire in the Deep Creek National Park has now scorched more than 3,700 hectares, destroying multiple structures and forcing entire communities into a state of high alert.

The fire, which is now entering its sixth day of active burning, has created a massive plume of smoke visible from the Adelaide CBD and stretching as far as Kangaroo Island and the Yorke Peninsula. While firefighters have made heroic efforts to protect assets, the CFS confirmed that at least seven structures have been impacted, with that number expected to rise as damage assessment teams penetrate the fireground.

A “War Zone” in the National Park

The fire erupted on Sunday, February 1, quickly taking advantage of the steep, inaccessible terrain and erratic coastal winds characteristic of the Deep Creek region. By Monday, an Emergency Warning was in place for residents in Delamere and Cape Jervis, with many forced to flee as flames jumped containment lines.

“It was like a war zone,” said one local resident who evacuated through thick smoke on a quad bike. “You couldn’t see the road, only the orange glow. We lost sheds and pumps, but we are just lucky to be alive.”

Interstate Reinforcements Arrive

With the fire perimeter stretching over 50 kilometers, local CFS crews—many of whom have been working with little sleep since Sunday—have been bolstered by interstate strike teams. Over 200 firefighters from Victoria (CFA), New South Wales (RFS), and Queensland have arrived in Yankalilla to support the effort.

A fleet of aerial bombers has performed over 1,000 drops of water and fire retardant, focusing on a critical “asset protection” zone around the Deep Creek National Park headquarters and the Stringybark campground.

The Threat to Yankalilla and Beyond

As of Friday evening, the CFS is focused on consolidating containment lines along Black Bullock Road and Tapanappa Ridge Road. However, officials warned that if these lines fail to hold against forecasted wind changes tonight, the fire has the potential to push toward the popular seaside communities of Rapid Bay, Second Valley, and Yankalilla.

“The fire behavior remains extremely erratic,” a CFS spokesperson said at a community meeting at the Yankalilla Football Club. “We are seeing fire-generated weather patterns that make it very dangerous for our ground crews. If you are in Rapid Bay or Second Valley, you need to have your bushfire survival plan ready to go now.”

Roads Closed and National Parks Shut

The Pima-like isolation of the Fleurieu Peninsula has made logistics difficult. While Main South Road has been reopened with speed restrictions to allow for essential travel and evacuations, numerous secondary roads—including Talisker Road and Range Road West—remain strictly closed to the public.

Deep Creek National Park and Talisker Conservation Park are completely closed until further notice. Authorities have also issued a stern warning to the public regarding the use of drones. “Drones are a lethal threat to our firefighting aircraft,” the CFS stated. “If you fly, we can’t. Please stay away from the fire zone.”

Looking Ahead

The weather forecast for the weekend offers little relief, with dry conditions and shifting winds expected to persist through Sunday. For the families who have already lost homes and livelihoods, the road to recovery will be long. A GoFundMe for one local family, the Edwards, has already raised over $28,000 to help them rebuild their destroyed farm equipment and water systems.

As the sun sets over the Fleurieu Peninsula tonight, the orange glow on the horizon serves as a sobering reminder of the power of nature and the bravery of those standing between the flames and the community.