On 20 February 1980 in the Mount Lofty Ranges, east of Adelaide there was a fire described as an early Ash Wednesday. This fire began two weeks prior in a rubbish dump south-south-east of Adelaide.

It smouldered until 20 February when hot winds fanned the fire which burnt 8000 ha in one day. The fire destroyed 51 homes, the Anglican church at Longwood and 75 farms along with orchards and market gardens. The damage bill was estimated at more than $30 million.

Court cases were held to ascertain who was responsible for this fire and they went on for over ten years. The Insurance Council of Australia estimated the 1980 damage as $13 million, with the 2017 estimated normalised cost of $175 million.