East Torrens CFS officer Doug Munn says if the Cherryville blaze happened in February with a strong north wind “it would have ended up in Victor Harbor”.

More than 620ha were burnt and one house and two sheds were destroyed but the residents between Cherryville and Basket Range are breathing a sigh of relief that their three-day bushfire happened in May – not February.

“If we had a day like Ash Wednesday (1983 bushfires), it would have ended up in Victor Harbor,” East Torrens CFS Deputy Group Officer Doug Munn, pictured, said on Monday.

“This one got going – don’t get me wrong.

“For the majority of it we couldn’t get to the fire and we had to wait for it to get to us.”

Also in this week’s issue

• Hoot!: The Hoot! Adelaide Hills Jazz Festival is fast proving itself as a major event on the national jazz calendar with ticket sales up 120% on last year’s event.
• Pioneer footsteps: The stories and history of Hahndorf’s pioneer women are of special significance to Aldgate resident Lia Fox.
• Farm fun: Make a furry friend, watch a cow being milked and a sheep being shorn or take a ride on a tractor at the 39th annual Birdwood Farm Day.
• Residents angry: Residents have criticised the State Government’s handling of a new park n ride proposed to be built on Dumas Street in Mt Barker.
• Desperate plea: More Australians than ever are turning to the Salvation Army for help, leaving the charity “desperate” for donations.

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