Photographs show the charred countryside as a bushfire in the Adelaide Hills, Australia, continues to burn out of control.
Firefighters fear extreme conditions over the next two days will cause even more devastation in the region -- with temperatures expected to hit 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The fire at Sampson Flat has destroyed or damaged at least 26 homes, injured 29 people and burned 12,500 hectares as it swept across the dry country. Authorities are trying to take advantage of cooler conditions on Monday before the more fearsome conditions hit later in the week.
"At the moment I think they're predicting [winds of] about 35 kph. That's enough given the dryness of the country for the fire to spread, so our No. 1 priority is to secure the outer perimeter of that large fire so it doesn't impact on further communities," Greg Nettleton from the Country Fire Service told ABC News.
Photos across social media have documented the devastation, as residents return to their properties to evaluate the damage from the fires -- fully aware the worst may be still to come.
Bushfires are common across Australia in the summer months, with the 2009 Victorian bushfires the worst Australian natural disaster in history, resulting in the deaths of 173 people.
Not our pooches I have them safe! #SAFires #Bushfire #Adelaide #SampsonFlat #HumbugScrub @ABCemergency pic.twitter.com/QCCVtyVDlU— Karina Natt (@Karina_Natt) January 2, 2015
Respect to those fighting tonight #sampsonflat #kersbrook #adelaidehills #bushfire #onetreehill #AdelHills pic.twitter.com/RruEEJxosQ— Ben Goode (@benjigoode) January 2, 2015
There is no denying the amazing work our @CFSAlerts volunteers do...powerful photo by @theTiser Dylan Coker #SAFires pic.twitter.com/ngk9RB1qxZ— Bianca De Marchi (@bianca_demarchi) January 3, 2015
Good samaritin @SarahReed @9NewsAdel @theTiser pic.twitter.com/BAsi0W4RZ3— Richard Egan (@docegan) January 3, 2015
Image from Golden Grove this AM. If you're in GG, please enact evac plan. #SAFires pic.twitter.com/urR83kLMN7— science/jay-z (@sciencejayz) January 3, 2015
Just saw these horses running from #HumbugScrub #SampsonFlat bushfire. They're ok. @9NewsAdel #9Newscomau #SAFires pic.twitter.com/4xGyS8Msba— Edward Godfrey (@EdwardGodfrey9) January 4, 2015
Aldinga Beach Country Fire Service returned at 3am after fighting the #SAfires to this. Put a smile on their faces. pic.twitter.com/kHLHLG8YuV— Glam Adelaide (@glamadelaide) January 3, 2015
Some more insane shots from the #SAfires. Stay safe everyone. #Adelaide #AdelHills pic.twitter.com/Gb0GEeZsQe— Glam Adelaide (@glamadelaide) January 3, 2015
Heartbreaking. This little guy hanging in there off Kersbrook Rd @9NewsAdel #bushfire pic.twitter.com/KFRls2Uo3N— Alice Monfries (@alicemonfries) January 3, 2015
Enormous tree blocked Shillabeer Rd yest. Falling trees becoming just as dangerous as the fire @9NewsAdel #SAFires pic.twitter.com/9IVQQa3k2n— Alice Monfries (@alicemonfries) January 4, 2015
Another photo of #Adelaide bushfire from Leader News. Terrifying this is only a few KM from the city and my house. pic.twitter.com/zKhbnQ9RlJ— シ Ed Gex (@EdDJGex) January 2, 2015
This bushfire isn't looking to good in Adelaide right now.. #wildfire pic.twitter.com/Zd50VsaR9D— Matteo Barr (@MatteoBarr) January 2, 2015
A truly remarkable shot from the Yorke Peninsular 03/01/15 #AdelaideHills #Bushfire pic.twitter.com/Z0ckwLQwM6— Cr Hullabaloo (@Cr_Hull) January 4, 2015
#SampsonFlat:12 homes gone, 20 more could be lost. | 22 injured | All fire edges still active.| @9NewsAdel #SAFires pic.twitter.com/2YjlCislff— Virginia Langeberg (@VLangeberg9) January 3, 2015