Mt Lofty Ranges residents warned ahead of controlled burns on Saturday

Firefighters have told residents of in Mt Lofty Ranges district to “exercise caution” after a fire at Aldgate sent a frightening cloud of smoke into the sky.

The Country Fire Service has warned Hills residents to “exercise caution” when carrying out controlled burns this Saturday due to an elevated fire risk.

It comes after firefighters raced to contain a spate of grass fires across the state this past week, with dry weather causing foliage to wilt and become easily flammable.

In a foreshadowing of the fire danger season ahead, residents of Adelaide’s south witnessed a plume of smoke rising from Aldgate on Friday evening where a nest of pine needles caught alight spontaneously.

It could be seen as far as the western tip of Greenhill Rd, but a CFS spokeswoman said it was only smouldering and had not fully ignited.

A plume of smoke from smouldering foliage in Aldgate could be seen as far as the western tip of Greenhill Rd. Picture: Kara Jung

CFS state duty commander Scott Turner said the public should be mindful of their activities this weekend amid warmer temperatures and a strong wind forecast.

“Residents are encouraged to exercise caution and only conduct burn offs in the early morning or late in the day,” Mr Turner said.

“During burn offs, a responsible person should be in attendance at all times with water or suitable fire extinguisher to hand.

“A burn can easily get out of control unless it’s carefully planned and various steps are followed including supervising it at all times and making sure it’s carried out with extreme caution at the right time, including checking that the burn is fully extinguished and cold.”

Mr Turner said that outside of the fire danger season, landholders must follow their local council’s guidelines for burn offs.

He also urged residents to create or update bushfire survival plans and move flammable items out from under the veranda.

A total fire ban with an extreme rating has also been declared for the Eastern Eyre Peninsula on Saturday with additional restrictions in place.

Fire bans for the Mount Lofty Ranges district come into effect on November 15.

Originally published as Mt Lofty Ranges residents warned ahead of controlled burns on Saturday