Australia offers aid to bushfire region

The Australian government announced an emergency aid to the bushfire-affected communities on Sunday.

Commonwealth Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and South Australian Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion Zoe Bettison said disaster assistance has been made available in response to the Sampson Flat bushfire in South Australia that started on January 2.

Keenan said the aid is being provided through the jointly- funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.

"The Commonwealth and the South Australian governments are committed to working together to ensure that bushfire affected communities have all the support they need to recover," Keenan said.

People who have been impacted by the bushfire can access emergency grants of up to 280 AU dollars (226.8 U.S. dollars) per adult and 140 (113.4 U.S. dollar) per child, to a maximum of 700 dollars (567 U.S. dollars) per family to assist with essential items such as food and clothing.

"The emergency grants will help with immediate and essential needs when families or individuals are unable to provide for themselves," Bettison said.

Up to two weeks' emergency accommodation is also available for individuals and families who are unable to return to their homes due to damage and road closures.

Earlier on Sunday, local media reported that two persons are feared missing. They were later found safe and well on Sunday night.

More than 800 firefighters have been battling on a much cooler day on Sunday to control the bushfire in the Adelaide Hills area before the temperature rises again on Monday.

South Australia's Country Fire Service downgraded its emergency warning to a watch-and-act message, but said the blaze continued to burn freely in all directions.

The state's premier Jay Weatherill said 12 homes have been lost, though that number may rise above 30 as damage assessment teams move in to affected areas.

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