More homes have been lost to an out-of-control bushfire in South Australia and the Country Fire Service is warning residents in threatened areas to get out now, providing their path is clear.
It's not yet known how many homes have been destroyed in the Sampson Flat blaze as it's not safe to get into the Upper Hermitage area that's affected, said Brenton Eden of the CFS.
"But it will be more than five" - the number of properties already reported lost on Friday, he said.
Two of the lost homes belong to firefighters who have been battling the out-of-control bushfire while another belongs to a police officer also helping in the emergency.
Meanwhile, Mr Eden urged residents in a host of places to find safety now, ahead of an expected deterioration in conditions.
"Winds at the moment are quite benign, so now is the time when people should be packing up their valuables, taking care of their stock and getting out of there.
"Please, heed this warning.
"We do not want to be reporting that we have lost any lives."
The CFS says a strengthening northerly wind is expected to reach speeds of up to 110km/hr across the fire ground by 10.45am.
"This will cause the fire to burn out of control in a south/south-easterly direction potentially impacting on communities within a southwest to southeast radius of the fire ground," a CFS statement said on Saturday morning.
"The CFS urges anyone within the Houghton, Inglewood, Paracombe, Gumeracha, Birdwood, Upper and Lower Hermitage, Kersbrook, Lobethal, Lenswood, Castambul, Cherryville, Forest Range, Charleston, Norton Summit, Montacute, Oakbank Balhannah, Uraidla, Piccadilly and Williamstown areas to enact their Bushfire Survival Plan.
"Due to the uncertain nature and impact of the fire behaviour the Adelaide Hills faces today it is imperative that people within these vicinities take appropriate action now."
The CFS also warned that significant smoke and fallen trees could make travel difficult and advised people to not drive into smoke.
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