Minister denies diverting fire resources

Country Fire Service volunteers claim they were diverted from fighting the devastating Sampson Flat bushfire for a ministerial tour and photo opportunity.

But South Australia's Emergency Services Minister Tony Piccolo has denied knowingly allowing resources to be redirected from the firefighting effort so he could be looked after on his January 5 visit.

CFS Volunteers Association vice-president Jeff Clark told ABC Radio on Friday that he had received complaints from numerous volunteers who were "exceedingly upset about what happened".

He's called for an investigation into the complaints, saying the volunteers said it was "almost a covert operation and set up to make it look like they were working".

"They were very upset that they could hear on the radio that other fellow firefighters were still engaged in fighting the fire," he said.

Volunteers were upset that paperwork had to be destroyed and there was to be no use of the radio to co-ordinate the trip, Mr Clark said.

Mr Piccolo told ABC radio he would welcome an independent inquiry.

"I'm quite clear in my mind I have done nothing wrong," he said.

"This will be proven to be completely untrue."

He said an experienced off-duty volunteer drove him around because he wanted to have an insight into the fire.

The minister said he took photos on his phone and put them on Facebook to reveal the community effort.

"I didn't stop them from doing their duties."

The Adelaide Hills fire, which began on January 2, destroyed 27 houses and damaged many other structures.

Opposition leader Steven Marshall called for an immediate inquiry into the claims.

"If it turns out that vital resources were diverted for a government photo opportunity ... than I think there are very serious questions about the future of this minister," he told reporters.