BUSHFIRE-affected areas on Kangaroo Island and in the Adelaide Hills received much-needed rainfall at the end of last week, helping to restore soil moisture levels and wash away built up ash.
Despite initial fears of soil erosion from heavy rainfall, AgKI chairman Rick Morris said there were "plenty of positives" from the arrival of rain, after most paddocks escaped a loss of top soil.
"It definitely hit some the most devastated parts of the island and so far, there has not been too much soil erosion, but in parts where there was no soil cover it has made an impact," he said.
"It also filled a lot of dams on parts of the island that were running out of livestock water."
About 36 millimetres fell in the south-west near Vivonne Bay but in the east, up to 60mm was recorded at Macgillivray and Haines, while the fire ground at Parndana received 35mm.
"It looks like some of the perennial grasses may have survived the fire so that will be a bonus now it has rained in those parts," Mr Morris said.
"I would expect annual grasses to have a big germination after the fire," he said.
Mr Morris said follow-up rain was crucial to ensure annual grasses could survive an early germination.
RELATED READING: Reviving rain eases drought
Late last week, the Adelaide Hills region received up to 58mm at Hanhdorf and Lenswood, while Lobethal received 42mm and Millbrook near Cudlee Creek received 28mm.
Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Jenny Horvat said the tropical band of moisture that arrived had thunderstorms embedded in it and areas that did not not have storms had low rainfall.
Ms Horvat said follow-up rain could arrive in some parts of the state this weekend because a small front should bring some moisture and instability.
Start the day with all the big news in agriculture. Click here to sign up to receive our daily Stock Journal newsletter.
