Sydney, Rabi'I 12, 1436, January 03, 2015, SPA -- Australian firefighters are battling bushfires in the south of the country that have forced the evacuation of thousands of people, local media reported on Saturday. The Country Fire Service has described the bushfires in South Australia and Victoria as the worst since the deadly Ash Wednesday fires of 1983, reported public broadcaster ABC. The worst hit area is Adelaide Hills, which is 26 kilometres from the city centre, the broadcaster added. Hundreds of firefighters backed by 14 aircraft are battling the blaze, which has destroyed at least five homes, dpa reported. Temperatures above 30 Celsius and strong wind have made efforts to contain the fires more difficult. More than 200 homes were destroyed last year by wildfires in New South Wales. -- SPA 15:49 LOCAL TIME 12:49 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w