There are grave concerns the death toll from the South Australian bushfires will rise from two.
SA Premier Jay Weatherill says 13 people are in hospital and five of those are either in critical or serious conditions with significant burns.
One has burns to more than 80 per cent of their body and “we do hold grave concerns for them,” Mr Weatherill told reporters at an early morning briefing.
It is believed that at least two of those injured were fighting fires.
A 56-year-old woman from Hamley Bridge and a 69-year-old man from Pinery were killed on Wednesday.
Three others have been reported missing although they may have been located. Authorities are trying to determine if they are the same people.
“We can’t be entirely sure we have identified every single person within the fire ground,” Mr Weatherill said.
Mr Weatherill said even though a significant proportion of the fire perimeter was under control and conditions were milder overnight, “many fire fronts are still active within the fire grounds and they will continue to be battled for some days”.
He said the cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
At least 16 homes have been destroyed, alongside outbuildings, vehicles and farm machinery.
The fire has burnt an estimated 85,000 hectares of grass, cropping land and scrub.
“Further to this, a significant number of stock and crops have been lost, including a piggery with an estimated 2000 sows,” Mr Weatherill said.
Livestock assessment teams from Primary Industry and Regions SA will be on the ground on Thursday morning to help land owners assess and deal with the burned or injured livestock.
Impact teams from the CFS, MFS, police and SES will be combing every area of the accessible ground for a full assessment of damage.
Even though conditions have improved and the fire perimeter has not expanded since midnight, the fire status does remain going with active fires still burning within the current perimeter.
Interstate fire crews will be on the ground on Friday to help over the next two to three days.
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