South Australia is preparing for a hotter and drier summer, with major weather drivers of El Niño in the Pacific Ocean and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (which impacts rainfall) increasing the state’s risk of bushfires.

The South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) has declared the Fire Danger Season has been brought forward in six districts, with Flinders, North East Pastoral, North West Pastoral, and West Coast to start from 16 October, and Mid North and Yorke Peninsula districts on 1 November.

As part of a nearly $40 million investment from the State Government to boost the state's firefighting capabilities, five new aircraft are being added to the CFS aerial firefighting fleet taking the total number to 31.

New Automatic Vehicle Location technology is being rolled out for firefighting and emergency service vehicles.

So far, the CFS has conducted 25 prescribed burns across the state, with plans to complete another 31 to help reduce fuel loads for potential bushfires.

CFS Director of Community Risk and Resilience Alison May said significant and widespread grass fuel loads had been reported.

"As a consequence, the Bushfire Management Committees in these regions have recommended that the Fire Danger Season be brought forward earlier than normal,” Ms May said.

"The start of the Fire Danger Season sends a message to all South Australians to be prepared for the upcoming season, including knowing what they can and can't do during the Fire Danger Season and on Total Fire Ban days."

Before summer arrives, South Australians are being urged to be bushfire ready, particularly those who live in high-risk areas.

CFS Chief Officer Brett Loughlin said bushfire preparedness was a shared responsibility of all South Australians.

“We have thousands of volunteers across the state who train hard throughout the year, risking their lives for their community every day,” Mr Loughlin said.

“Now is the time to clean up around your property, remove flammable materials that are around your home, clear your gutters and mow your lawns.”

South Australian Police have also commenced Operation Nomad – focusing on the deliberate, reckless and negligent acts that may cause a bushfire.

Police will monitor known persons of interest throughout the bushfire season and increase patrols on total fire ban days.

For more information visit the CFS’s Be Bushfire Ready website.