07/02/2026
** A newer update has been issued. For the latest information visit www.cfs.sa.gov.au/incidents **
Incident Update - Deep Creek Fire
Favourable conditions on the fireground have enabled firefighters to implement a tactical backburn along Tapanappa Ridge Road, to secure the fireground to the coastline.
Firefighters from across Australia continue to work in steep, heavily vegetated and inaccessible country to contain the Deep Creek Fire.
Further support arrived in SA today, with a Western Australian contingent of 27 firefighters to join the more than 200 firefighters on the fireground from tomorrow. The CFS is also being supported by Farm Fire Units and crews from the Department for Environment and Water (DEW), Forestry SA, New South Wales Rural Fire Service and Victorian Country Fire Authority, who continue to work on the fire. An Incident Management Team continues to support firefighting operations behind the scenes which includes personnel from South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.
Aircraft have supported firefighters on the ground by performing approximately 1,000 drops over the fire and will continue this support into the coming days. This has not been the only role of aircraft throughout this fire, with aircraft also being used to gather intelligence from the fireground including the impacts from the fire. This aerial intelligence has assisted CFS in gathering a more accurate picture of the total area burned in the Deep Creek Fire, which now totals approximately 4,200 hectares and a perimeter of 60 kilometres.
At this time, it has been confirmed that seven structures have been impacted. SA Police rapid assessment teams are continuing to conduct assessments of any potential additional impacts when conditions allow.
Bushfire investigators attended the fire origin, however, due to the conditions and the nature of the fire, they were unable to determine the exact cause. The fire is not being treated as suspicious.
Backburning operations around the eastern edge of the fireground were completed this afternoon. This backburn has brought the edge of the fireground to the coastline, however, community in the area can expect to see smoke drifting in the area as the fire burns towards the current edge of the fire. Backburning is a planned and well-established firefighting technique used to reduce fuel and slow the spread of fire. These operations are used to help strengthen control lines, reduce the risk of embers starting new fires, and support safer conditions for crews.
Considerable work is being done to mitigate the impact of the fire and protect the habitat of several species of native flora and fauna which call Deep Creek National Park home. This includes the Mount Lofty Ranges Southern Emu-Wren and the Beautiful Firetail, which are nationally endangered species of birds. Strategies including the use of backburning in tactical areas and targeted aerial incendiary, which started late this afternoon, is helping to limit the spread of fire into key habitat areas. Several species of native orchid are also known to grow in the fire area, including the critically endangered Fleurieu Leek-orchid. Consideration has been given to these species with plans put in place to exclude heavy machinery from these areas.
The Deep Creek National Park, Talisker Conservation Park and Second Valley Forest are closed.
Hazardous tree assessments are being finalised, which has enabled the opening of several roads in the area. Please refer to traffic.sa.gov.au for the most current information. If you must travel in the area, please drive to conditions and follow directions from emergency services.
The Deep Creek fire is affecting local individuals, families and the wider community in many ways. If you have been impacted and would like support, you can register for a wellbeing call back from the Australian Red Cross by completing the wellbeing support registration form. This can be found on the dedicated webpage that has been created on the CFS website at cfs.sa.gov.au/deep-creek-fire, alongside ongoing updates and community information.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
For updates visit the CFS website (www.cfs.sa.gov.au) or phone the Information Hotline on 1800 362 361.
