Federal MP Jamie Briggs says he and his family are preparing to leave their home in the Adelaide Hills as the area faces its worst bushfire since the 1983 Ash Wednesday blaze.
The assistant infrastructure minister's Aldgate home is among many potentially threatened by the Sampson Flat fire, which is travelling in an erratic manner and burning freely towards townships.
Mr Briggs says he and his family are on alert and ready to leave if their home comes under threat.
"We've got bags prepared and we'll leave if we feel that it's getting to a point where it gets too close," he told ABC TV on Saturday.
"The closest town we've had a warning for is 15 kilometres from us.
"We're still quite a way away from the fire front but, obviously, the circumstances change quickly.
"We'd probably head down to the city somewhere to watch it out because these things can move really quickly."
Mr Briggs urged other Adelaide Hills residents to make an early call on whether to stay and defend their home or leave.
"You can replace property and you can replace goods but you can't replace lives," he said.
"We don't want to see people perish today. You need to make a call early on.
"There's a recognition that you're not going to have someone come to the rescue."
Share
