Underground fire causing ground to collapse Fire authorities say a bushfire at Port Lincoln in South Australia before Christmas has reignited and is burning underground in vegetation roots.

Two fire crews are trying to put out the blaze in New West Road.

The Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) says it is causing parts of a riverbank to collapse.

Residents had reported seeing a big volume of smoke coming from underground.

The MFS says people need to keep clear of the area as there could be a further collapse.

Crews battle Central Highlands fires (Tasmania)

East Gippsland bushfire under control (Victoria)


Bushfire effort blows out council budget (NSW) The Cootamundra Shire Council's costs for fighting the Wallendbeen bushfire last month are expected to reach $25,000.

Mayor Paul Braybrooks says the council cannot cover all its costs with disaster funding from the State Government, forcing it to take money from this year's road maintenance budget.

The council this week heard how several staff escaped serious injury during the bushfire when burning trees collapsed near their vehicles.

Cr Braybooks says the council had officially thanked staff for their involvement in the emergency.

"A bushfire is a very dangerous place, especially when trees are alight and trees and bows of trees are collapsing," he said.

"So we are extremely grateful for everybody who volunteered their time at the bushfire out on the old Gundagai road."

Cootamundra council heard this week that recent criticism of its response and clean-up from a landholder was 'completely unreasonable'.