The Deep Creek Fire: An Ongoing Challenge
As of 6:00 PM on February 3rd, we are witnessing a significant uptick in fire activity on the eastern side of the Deep Creek Fire due to increasing winds this afternoon. The blaze has now consumed approximately 2,200 hectares, with firefighting crews prioritizing efforts to prevent the fire from advancing along Main South Road. Remarkably, these dedicated teams have managed to contain the fire enough to allow for the reopening of the roadway, which is crucial for the local community, including residents from Kangaroo Island. However, it’s important to note that the situation remains fluid and the road could be closed again at any moment.
In many scrub fires like this one, embers—burning leaves and twigs carried by the wind—can ignite new fires within the main fire area. While these spot fires typically extinguish themselves once they reach areas that have already burned, as we learned yesterday, they can still contribute to the overall spread of the fire.
Firefighters, heavy machinery, and aerial support are all actively engaged in combating this fire; however, the rugged terrain poses considerable challenges for access and suppression efforts. We strongly urge anyone in the vicinity to stay vigilant, assess their circumstances, and activate their bushfire emergency plans as necessary.
A total fire ban has been declared for tomorrow, primarily driven by wind conditions, which adds another layer of unpredictability to the fire's behavior. This may also lead to an increase in smoke being pushed over Cape Jervis and Kangaroo Island, affecting air quality in those areas.
It’s crucial for the public to recognize that we are dealing with an active fireground where conditions are continually evolving. If you find yourself in the area, please maintain a safe distance and heed the instructions provided by emergency services. This includes avoiding the use of drones, which can pose serious risks to firefighting aircraft and must be kept far away from any fire operations.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the community for their unwavering support during this challenging time.
Gratitude for Community Support
Updated at 3:00 PM, February 3rd
The response from Yankalilla and neighboring communities has been nothing short of amazing. We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing assistance being offered to our firefighters and emergency personnel as they bravely tackle the Deep Creek Fire under extremely difficult circumstances.
The Salvation Army has established a presence at the Yankalilla staging area, providing essential food and refreshments to our dedicated crews, and we express our sincere appreciation for their continued support.
While we truly value the generosity of public donations, at this time, our firefighters do not require additional food supplies. If you’re looking to contribute, we encourage you to consider supporting the CFS Foundation, which offers vital assistance to volunteers and their families in need—visit https://cfsfoundation.org.au/ for more information.
Authorities are actively evaluating the needs of those potentially affected by the fire and will issue a call for donated goods if required.
Community Information Update for Cape Jervis
Updated at 12:00 PM, February 3rd
CFS Community Liaison Officers will be available to provide vital updates and information to the community starting at 1:00 PM. They will be stationed in front of the local tavern, located at the corner of Ransford Street and Flinders Drive in Cape Jervis.
Incident Update
Updated at 11:30 PM, February 3rd
The South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) continues to address the fire burning between Deep Creek National Park and Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Thanks to the tireless efforts of firefighters throughout the night, the fire has been contained to about 1 kilometer from the township of Cape Jervis. Crews have employed various strategies such as direct asset protection and the establishment of control lines using heavy machinery, as well as conducting backburning operations south of Blowhole Road.
Despite their efforts, the fire remains uncontrolled and has already scorched over 1,600 hectares, spreading across multiple fronts in steep and difficult-to-access terrain. Forecasted wind shifts today contribute to the unpredictability of this blaze, and anyone in the area should remain informed while enacting their bushfire preparedness plans.
A warning message regarding the fire remains active. For up-to-date information, please check the CFS website (cfs.sa.gov.au) or the Alert SA app.
CFS Community Liaison Officers will again be available to offer information to the public beginning at 1:00 PM, situated in front of the local tavern at the intersection of Ransford Street and Flinders Drive in Cape Jervis.
Currently, over 260 firefighters are deployed across 40 trucks and 15 support vehicles, working diligently to manage the fire and protect assets alongside crews from the CFS, Farm Fire Units, SA Metropolitan Fire Service, Department for Environment and Water, and Forestry SA. Today's primary focus is on establishing control lines with support from heavy machinery and executing backburning strategies. Additionally, 11 aircraft, including firebombers and observation planes, are assisting with active suppression efforts and control line management using retardant.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the local community as well as our partner agencies, including the SA Ambulance Service, St John Ambulance, the Salvation Army, private contractors, and the Yankalilla Council, for their invaluable support during this crisis.
At present, the fire is actively burning along Main South Road, which remains closed between Cole Road, Delamere, and Cape Jervis. Smoke from the fire may also affect surrounding regions, and emergency services will persist in their work on and around the roadways. We advise motorists to avoid the area altogether.
Deep Creek National Park is now entirely closed, and Talisker Conservation Park is also fully shut off to the public.
Residents may observe a significant amount of smoke drifting toward Kangaroo Island and the Yorke Peninsula. As a precaution, individuals with respiratory or heart conditions should consider keeping doors and windows closed and staying indoors until conditions improve.
A CFS staging area is currently operational at the Yankalilla Showgrounds, and Yankalilla Oval has been designated for aviation operations. We kindly ask the public to steer clear of these locations.
Lastly, we want to remind everyone that this is an active fireground where circumstances are continuously changing. If you are in the vicinity, please exercise caution and follow instructions from emergency personnel. Remember, drones can severely hinder firefighting efforts and must be kept far away from the fire scene.
