This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

A number of homes and other buildings have been lost in a dangerous bushfire that raged through South Australia’s south-east, with New South Wales on high alert and the threat in Victoria easing.



Despite improved conditions, however, an out-of-control fire threatened homes near Benalla in northern Victoria on Sunday afternoon and residents were told to leave immediately.

The grassfire was moving towards properties in Winton and Glenrowan West after firefighters were unable to stop it crossing Wattle Creek Road on Sunday afternoon.

Shortly afterwards fire crews managed to get the blaze under control.

“Firefighters have been able to stop the spread of the fire. Staying close to shelter is the safest option, in case conditions change again suddenly. Continue to stay informed and monitor conditions,” the emergency update said.

The Country Fire Service said the Sherwood fire in South Australia destroyed 12,100 hectares of scrub and farmland before it was contained early on Sunday morning.

“A number of homes and structures have been lost in the blaze, which started just after 1pm yesterday,” the CFS said.

However, duty commander Nick Stanley said damage assessment teams were on the fire ground and were yet to determine the extent of asset and stock losses. Police were also investigating the cause of the blaze and there were no reports of any serious injuries.

“Yesterday’s Sherwood fire was a reminder of how quickly fire under severe to catastrophic weather conditions can get out of control,” Stanley said. “Due to the severe weather conditions, firefighters on the ground had to work defensively to protect assets until the fire conditions were safe enough for them to begin offensive operations.”

At the height of the emergency on Saturday, a CFS crew survived a frightening burnover in their truck as the fire raged. The crew was among more than 70 firefighters who battled the blaze, which also posed a threat to communities at Brimbago, Lowan Vale, McCallum and Senior near the South Australian-Victorian border.

At one stage farmer Robyn Verrall reported a “wall of flames” as the fire burned out of control. Images she posted on Twitter showed trees and grass on fire while a video showed thick smoke blanketing paddocks, significantly reducing visibility.

Play Video 0:31 Bushfire edges towards Melbourne homes as residents flee - video

A total fire ban is in place across Sydney and the Hunter region as NSW residents face temperatures soaring into the mid-40s. Much of the rest of the state has a “very high” rating.

Fire crews spent the night blacking out a fire that severely damaged a Melbourne family’s home. The fire was one of many sparked across the state as Victoria suffered through an extremely hot Saturday.

On Sunday morning a teenage girl was charged with starting the Melbourne fire. The 15-year-old was bailed to appear before a children’s court at a later date, Victoria police said in a statement on Sunday.

Bushfires in South Australia amid severe heatwave in south-eastern states Read more

The fire at Carrum Downs started just after 3pm on Saturday and moved fast, putting the entire street of Darnley Drive at risk, Country Fire Authority assistant chief officer Trevor Owen told reporters.

“It travelled very, very quickly and we had a few kilometres of a front within a matter of an hour that we had to be able to control,” he said. “There were a lot of embers being thrown up which caused a lot of other fires that were progressing in front of the fire front.”

It was declared under control before 9pm. The damaged house escaped total destruction but the family would not be able to stay there, Owen said. The fire also damaged sheds, fences and a motorhome.