South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has just confirmed two people have died in the bushfires raging through South Australia in the Pinery region tonight.
One person was found dead in a paddock, and another in a car, with a possible unconfirmed third fatality, Mr Weatherill said.
“It’s the very worst of news to hear there are two, possibly three fatalities.. our thoughts are with the families,” he said.
SA Country Fire Service has issued an updated emergency warning for the “extremely dangerous” bushfire, as it burns near Kapunda.
The fire is travelling north-easterly towards Marrabel, Eudunda and Dutton, and the CFS has urged residents to act now.
If you are in this area you are in danger. Act immediately. Check and follow your Bushfire Survival Plan,” the CFS said.
“The entire fire ground is still active and the public should remain vigilant overnight.”
The fire has forced the emergency closures of more than a dozen roads, SA Police said in a statement (full list at bottom of post).
The Pinery fire has burned out of control in catastrophic conditions for much of the day.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a warning about the catastrophic conditions this morning, after high temperatures and winds gusts up to 74km/h were recorded in the area.
Read the full bushfire emergency warning from the CFS here:
Issued: 19:33
