Fire relief but lightning strikes new threat

Photo / AP

The bushfire that savaged the Adelaide Hills has been all but contained, but firefighters now face the prospect of blazes in other areas of the state sparked by lightning strikes.

As rain began to fall in the Hills last night, the blaze that has burned through 12,500ha and destroyed up to 32 homes was declared 95 per cent contained.

A major emergency declaration issued on Saturday was also rescinded and interstate support began returning home.

But despite the relief after six days of desperate resistance, Country Fire Service chief Greg Nettleton said attention will now have to shift to other areas where lightning strikes that came with the rain sparked grass fires.

Nettleton said there were also still hot spots in the Hills, near Paracombe and at the Para Wirra conservation reserve which remained a concern and would take time to put out.

"This rain won't calm the hot spots - it requires people to do work on them," Nettleton said.

A number of fires were started by lightning strikes yesterday as thunderstorms rolled over the area, including in Gawler near the main fire.

Areas as far apart as Border Town in the east and Streaky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula in the west are under threat from the storms.

Another fire was started yesterday near the incident command centre at One Tree Hill, believed to have been caused by a lightning strike.

Still, authorities believe they will have the fire fully contained within two days. The number of homes badly damaged or destroyed was also downgraded to 32 from 38.

An out-of-control bushfire threatening rural homes in Victoria's west has slowed down. An emergency warning for Glenisla Crossing and Cherrypool has been downgraded to a watch and act alert.

The fire started in the Black Ranges State Park in Victoria's west and broke through a containment line on its southern flank yesterday.

Updated advice from the Country Fire Authority said the fire was still travelling toward the communities, but its progress had slowed.

"Staying close to shelter is the safest option, in case conditions change again suddenly," the alert said.

Earlier, State Incident Control Centre spokesman Darren McKenzie said the conditions made the fire's path difficult to predict.

The weather bureau says Victoria and SA can expect rain today and tomorrow, with the chance of heavier falls through the weekend.AAP