Scattered lightning strikes overnight have caused severe bushfires and widespread power outages across South Australia, particularly in the south-east. Fire brigades responded to numerous grass fires after thousands of dry lightning strikes hit areas like Kalangadoo and Ngarkat Conservation Park.
As of 6am AEDT, firefighters from the South Australian Country Fire Service (SA CFS) were still battling the blazes, which were complicated by the ongoing dry conditions. Several fire trucks remain actively engaged in firefighting efforts, particularly at a haystack fire in Kalangadoo, located 411km from Adelaide. The fire in Ngarkat Conservation Park has already scorched over 20,000 hectares and is expected to persist for several days.
Heavy smoke is visible in the region, prompting responders to attend more than 100 incidents since the evening prior. These incidents involve not just bushfires but also fallen trees and power lines due to lightning strikes. SA CFS noted that the fires were a consequence of numerous dry lightning strikes that went unheeded.
The violent weather has also led to significant electrical issues, with over 47,000 lightning strikes recorded across the region since 5pm the previous day. This has resulted in power outages affecting about 10,900 homes, especially within the York Peninsula and towns like Penola and Coonawarra. Crews from both metropolitan and regional areas have been deployed to facilitate power restoration, although the extensive number of faults is prolonging restoration times.
While the fires themselves are not hindering the restoration efforts, the challenge remains severe due to the sheer scale of the damage. SA Power Networks has indicated that the situation is complex, and customers are being informed of the associated delays in restoring power as teams work diligently to resolve the issues.
As authorities continue to manage the crisis, the situation remains dynamic, with ongoing firefighting efforts and restoration works necessitating rapid responses to the evolving challenges posed by both the fires and the storms.