IT WAS drinks on the house when a raging bushfire forced the evacuation of a South Australian caravan park.

Caravanners fled the four-star Top Tourist Brownhill Creek Caravan Park at Mitcham in the Adelaide Hills as 120 firefighters tackled the flames which threatened the 90-site park.

They assembled in the nearby Edinburgh Hotel where the caravan park's resident owners, Linda and Gavin Dyer, organised a bar tab "for their comfort".

Meanwhile, aerial water bombers and 20 fire appliances were brought in as fierce flames crept closer to the park. At least 17 hectares were burned out as unpredictable wind changes played cat and mouse with fire crews, but the park escaped unscathed.

Dense smoke billowed skywards and was visible from Adelaide city centre, about 8km away.

Mr Dyer said it was decided to evacuate his park as a precaution. After seeking advice, he decided to stay behind to ensure nobody returned.

The all-clear was sounded four hours later.

In another fire drama, more than 200 holidaymakers were evacuated from a camping area and nearby privately-owned caravan park in Lake Shaster Nature Reserve, 100km from Esperance, because of a raging bushfire near Munglinup Beach.
 

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