- Pets die as bushfire guts boarding kennel.
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- Murraylands residents offer refuge, food, supplies, transport, agistment to those fleeing Adelaide Hills bushfires.
- Adelaide Hills bushfire recovery: Information
- Murraylands CFS firies join Adelaide Hills fire fight
A devastating bushfire burning in the Adelaide Hills has been contained.
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The announcement came as Prime Minister Tony Abbott paid tribute to firefighters while touring the Adelaide Hills on Thursday morning.
The federal government will make a substantial contribution to recovery efforts, about $4 million over the next year with disaster payments to affected residents.
For residents that have lost a home, or if it's severly damaged, they will receive a payment of $1000 per adult and $400 per child.
Mr Abbott said focus would now be on recovery.
"While we grieve with those who lost, we can nevertheless feel proud of the efforts that have been put in and we can be relieved that a disaster, which looked potentially catastrophic on Saturday afternoon has, to a considerable extent, been averted because of the magnificent work of the people who are represented here in this fire control centre this morning," he said.
The number of homes destroyed has again been revised down, now at 27.
A declaration of major emergency was rescinded by Police Commissioner Gary Burns on Tuesday.
Due to the reduced threat of the Sampson Flat bushfire situation, opening hours at the two emergency relief centres will be changing from Friday.
However, both centres will remain open all night on Thursday.
The Golden Grove emergency relief centre at the Golden Grove Recreation Centre (The Golden Way, Golden Grove) will close tomorrow night at 7pm, reopening each day between 7am and 7pm.
The Willaston emergency relief centre at the Willaston Football Club (Kelly Road, Willaston) will be closing at midday tomorrow and will not be re-opening.
People from fire affected communities should instead visit the Golden Grove emergency relief centre for information, financial assistance and emergency accommodation.
Alternatively, they can call the Recovery Hotline on 1800 302 787 or visit www.sa.gov.au.
Communities and Social Inclusion Minister Zoe Bettison thanked staff and volunteers operating the centres for their dedication and hard work over the past few days.
The recovery fund has received numerous donations from individuals, but the Premier highlighted two significant donations; $50,000 from Westpac with a further $250,000 from their own disaster relief fund and $500,000 from the Commonwealth Bank.
Other business have also jumped on board, with McDonalds, BAE, Adelaide Casino and Woolworths supporting the fund.
State recovery director, Ronnie Faggotter, encouraged people to donate money rather than donating goods.
“The reason for that is when people have been affected by disaster, one of the best things they can have is choice by being given money…the other thing with cash is that the local economy that is affected by the disaster, they can get some benefit from people spending in the local area,” she said on Monday.
“We appreciate that people are very generous in their donation of items, but it can then be a considerable effort to sort those items, distribute them and, dare I say, dispose of items that are no longer required.”
The Advertiser's social media editor, Greg Barila, launched a community notice board (below) for people looking for help or those looking to support people in need.
View the most recent police update by clicking above.
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