The out of control grassfire was burning in a south-south easterly direction towards Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula, with the CFS issuing an emergency warning shortly before 2pm for Stamford Drive, Kathai Drive, Noontina Drive, Hassel Read and Pine Freezers Road.

However, the CFS has since downgraded the warning to a watch and act message for Stamford Drive.

“I’m pleased to advise that the fire is reducing from an emergency warning message to a watch and act message,” CFS deputy state controller Brenton Hastie told ABC Radio Adelaide around 4.45pm.

“That indicates that we’re getting on top of the fire.

“It is still burning in particular on the southwestern flank of the fire, so the area in the vicinity of Blue Fin Road, and that’s our primary concern putting aside the dump fire.”

Hastie said the CFS “don’t have any information at this stage that any houses have been lost”.

He said the “forward rate of spread of the fire has been halted”.

“The only active fire edge is on the southern southwestern edge of the fire, which is in the vicinity of Blue Fin Road,” he said.

“The fire is still actively burning in that area but the rate of spread has slowed considerably.

“We’re really pleased for the efforts to contain the site of the fire closest to Port Lincoln, which has meant with the wind change we’re becoming increasingly confident that the fire isn’t going to run towards Port Lincoln as we were originally concerned.”

Earlier, the CFS had told residents to take shelter immediately in a solid building as it is too late to evacuate.

“Do not delay. Do not leave or enter this area in a vehicle or on foot. It is too late to leave as the roads will not be safe,” it said in an emergency warning message issued at 1:43pm.

Hastie said there was a “large column of black smoke” coming from a dump, which would likely reach Port Lincoln.

The CFS is advising people stay inside and close doors and windows due to concerns about the toxicity.

He said the CFS would advise people to stay inside and keep their doors and windows shut.

“There is a risk that obviously that sort of smoke will be toxic,” he said.

Lincoln Gardens Primary School has been evacuated.

Emergency Warning #Bushfire – Take Shelter Immediately – #PORT_LINCOLN,_STAMFORD_DRIVE #fire. You are now in danger. Take shelter in a solid building. Do not leave or enter this area in a vehicle or on foot. #EWM ID=0006587 #SAFires https://t.co/4UmZG8ZhPw pic.twitter.com/bCy0gVru0w

— Country Fire Service (@CFSAlerts) February 16, 2023

Fire, pt lincoln, sa pic.twitter.com/ujnULPqCBD

— D Truth (@Thetruthaccord2) February 16, 2023

Approximately 84 CFS firefighters in 26 trucks are currently working to extinguish the fire.

They are supported by eight aircraft, including firebombers and observational aircraft. 

The Bureau of Meteorology forecast hot, dry conditions ahead of a southerly change moving through during the day, which it advised would lead to elevated fire dangers across the eastern Eyre Peninsula.

Hastie said that over the past hour the intensity of the fire had “dramatically reduced”.

He said the spread of the fire was limited to the eastern and western flanks.

“Crews have made some really good progress working along Western Approach Road and then into the industrial area,” he said.

“The fire behaviour has reduced, which we’re hopeful that as the impact of the wind change comes through that threat to Port Lincoln is not as significant as first feared.”

Hastie said it was “confusing” amongst the smoke to find out what damage the fire had caused, but he wouldn’t be surprised if buildings had been lost.

“There are a lot of buildings, structures, vehicles, structures, material on the ground through those industrial sites, so I would imagine there has been some level of loss,” he said.

“Anything beyond that I can’t confirm at this stage.”

Road closures are in place on New West Roads, Proper Bay Road, Yandra Terrace, Barley Road, Western Approach Road and Noontina Road. The CFS expects the closures to be in place for some time while the fire remains uncontained.

Temperatures were forecast to hit 37C in Port Lincoln today and 38C in Adelaide.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Mark Analack told ABC Radio Adelaide that there were “very strong north-westerly winds pushing the fire and the smoke offshore to the south-east”.

“Temperatures around there are at 40 degrees still, winds are blowing 60km/h gusting up to 80 km/h,” he said.

“The wind change itself has been delayed about an hour, so we’re looking at between 3.30 and 4.30 (this afternoon) for the change to come through.”

An extreme fire danger rating and ban was issued for the eastern Eyre Peninsula and Mount Lofty Ranges.

Hastie said authorities were unsure how the fire started.

More to come