Rain eases South Australian bushfire threat

RAIN has eased the bushfire threat to homes in South Australia's Flinders Ranges.
More than 200 firefighters have spent the past four days trying to control the Woolundunga blaze, which had been threatening the town of Wilmington.

The blaze has destroyed almost 8000 hectares of scrub since it was sparked on Wednesday.

The Country Fire Service said rain over the fireground, a reduction in wind speed, increase in humidity and the efforts of CFS volunteers had reduced the fire threat.

"Wilmington township has been spared attack from the fire coming down from the Flinders (Ranges) in that-south easterly direction and as such the need for any further community meetings will be reviewed and held if needed," the CFS said in a statement.

Firefighters were concerned that forecast thunderstorms could bring a wind change that would hamper firefighting efforts but that did not eventuate.

CFS state coordinator Brenton Eden said a break in the weather on Saturday afternoon enabled a helicopter to assess the fireground and confirm there were no flames on the fire's edge.

It found a number of hotspots in the foothills and valleys around Spear Creek, which Mr Eden suggested would burn for days but was not threatening property.

Ground crews and aircraft will remain in the area to continue blacking it out.

All roads in the area have now reopened.

- news.com.au