The fires are the worst to affect the Adelaide Hills region since the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires , which was caused by years of drought and extreme heat . In addition to the significant fire in the Adelaide Hills , there was also a major fire in the south east of South Australia , and several in Victoria at the same time . The two large water bombers were based in Victoria at Avalon Airport south of Melbourne , but moved for several days to RAAF Base Edinburgh in northern Adelaide at the height of the fire . From either base , they were flying sorties to both South Australia and to western Victoria
Ash Wednesday bushfires
Ash Wednesday bushfires
2015 Sampson Flat bushfires