Updated February 10, 2018 17:13:45

A serious fire which has been burning out of control at The Gap and Bangham in South Australia's upper south east has been downgraded to watch and act level.

The Bureau of Meterology said north-westerly winds which had earlier fanned the fires are no easing and the threat should reduce over the next few hours.

The Country Fire Service said the fire threat to lives and homes in the area had reduced slightly.

Almost 50 firefighters are on the scene and water bombers were dispatched to the scene earlier.

The fire is travelling in a north-easterly direction towards Frances on the South Australian and Victorian border

Topics: bushfire, fires, disasters-and-accidents, frances-5262, sa, australia

First posted February 10, 2018 15:56:17