Leave now! Bushfire victims told to evacuate AGAIN ahead of horror conditions tomorrow as firefighters brace for temperatures of 40C
- Entire community on Kangaroo Island ordered to immediately evacuate
- Vegetation in popular tourist area of Vivonne Bay is a dangerous fire risk
- A third of the island was burned to the ground in horrific fires over the weekend
Bushfire victims recovering from the horrific blazes on Kangaroo Island are being told to evacuate immediately.
Dangerous conditions are set to return to the area on Thursday, with firefighters bracing for 40C temperatures.
Around 140 people in Vivonne Bay, a popular tourist area on the south coast, are being evacuated.
The island was devastated over the weekend, with more than a third of its entire land burned.
The Kangaroo Island Complex Fire (pictured, in blue) is burning across 164,405 hectares. Around a third of the island has been burned so far this bushfire season
Aftermath of bushfires at Flinders Chase National Park on Kangaroo Island (pictured) is seen on Tuesday
The South Australian Country Fire Service advised residents of Kangaroo Island to be prepared (pictured) for tough conditions on Thursday
A convoy of army vehicles, transporting up to 100 reservists and supplies, is currently on Kangaroo Island as part of Operation Bushfire Assist at the request of the South Australian Government.
The residents will be moved to Penneshaw or Kingscote on the island’s east.
A grave warning from the South Australian Country Fire Service said it was undertaking the ‘pre-emptive relocation’ on Wednesday afternoon.
‘With increasing wind, warmer weather and going fires on Kangaroo Island, this situation is likely to change,’ it said,
Prime Minister Scott Morrison was on the island on Wednesday (pictured) to visit fire-damaged properties and meet with residents
Kangaroo Island (pictured) is preparing for more devastating bushfires, with high temperatures expected on Thursday
‘SAPOL will be advising all people in the area to relocate out of Vivonne Bay to a safer place.
People will not be permitted to re-enter the area until Friday, January 10, if it is deemed safe to do so.’
The CFS said it would be patrolling the area to make sure residents comply and evacuate immediately.
It also explained the area would be subject to road closures from 3pm on Wednesday, and that existing road closures will be more stringent.
Adelaide wildlife rescuer Simon Adamczyk holds a koala he rescued at a burning forest near Cape Borda on Kangaroo Island (pictured) on Tuesday
‘CFS is taking this action due to high fuel loads and poor defendability under these conditions should the fire break control lines and threaten Vivonne Bay,’ it warned.
‘Communities to the north including Andamel and Parndana are advised to put their Bushfire Survival Plan into action. If you are not prepared, it is advised that you relocate early to a safer place before conditions worsen tomorrow.’
Fires on the island have been focused in the west, an area known for its rich biodiversity.
Experts fear for the precious and endangered wildlife on the island during the fires, which have already killed thousands of koalas.
More to follow