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Homes lost in Adelaide bushfire

AAP
Fires in the hills southeast of Adelaide are likely to remain active for several days despite rain.
Camera IconFires in the hills southeast of Adelaide are likely to remain active for several days despite rain.

Two homes are among the structures destroyed by a bushfire that burned uncontrolled in the hills southeast of Adelaide.

The Cherry Garden blaze in the Mount Lofty Ranges peaked at emergency level on Monday morning, and was downgraded to advice level in the early afternoon.

The Country Fire Service (CFS) advised on Monday evening that the fire had been contained, but residents in the region are being told to stay alert, with the fire likely to remain a threat for several days despite relieving rain.

More than 400 firefighters worked on Monday to control the blaze, which has burned more than 2700 hectares of scrub and grassland.

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CFS State Duty Commander Yvette Dowling said crews were assessing damage in the Mount Bold area.

The Rapid Damage Assessment team confirmed two homes had been destroyed by the fire, along with 17 outbuildings and two vehicles.

Two further outbuildings have been damaged, with the CFS saying 60 homes were saved during the firefight.

Considering the scorching conditions on Sunday when the fire sparked it was lucky the damage was not worse, Ms Dowling said.

"There hasn't been a fire through that area for some time, probably Ash Wednesday (1983)," she said.

"So the fuel loads were very high. As we know, it's been very dry here in South Australia."

Rain that swept across the area on Monday afternoon helped damp the fire down, although strong winds could yet increase fire activity.

The CFS will leave crews on overnight to monitor the fireground and respond to any incidents.

Smoke was sent across Adelaide, prompting health authorities to warn people to stay indoors where possible.

The cause of the blaze has not been determined.

Meanwhile, a man appeared in court on Monday charged with starting a bushfire at a separate spot in the Adelaide Hills.

Officers spotted a car speeding away from the fire on Piggott Range Road at Clarendon on Sunday evening.

Police stopped the car and arrested the 60-year-old from Hallett Cove, who faces charges of causing a bushfire, unlicensed driving and drink driving, and engaging in a police pursuit.

"(It's a concern) while we've got crews out fighting fires ... there could be someone lighting them up behind you, putting our firefighters at risk," Ms Dowling said.

The fire was put out by members of the public and caused minimal damage, police said, adding investigations were ongoing.

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