The South Australian government is taking action to prepare as a hot and dry bushfire season fast approaches.
An emergency meeting involving state government representatives, the Country Fire Service, SA State Emergency Service, Department for Environment and Water and other key stakeholders was held Tuesday morning to discuss preparations for bushfire season.
Numerous actions have already begun as the state faces an El Nino event and positive Indian Ocean Dipole, which will deliver dry and warm conditions.
Five new aircraft are being added to the CFS aerial firefighting fleet, increasing the number from 26 to 31, following a $27.6 million state government investment.
Automatic vehicle location technology is being rolled out for firefighting and emergency service vehicles and 25 prescribed burns have already been undertaken, with plans for a further 31.
A statewide advertising campaign will begin at the end of October, encouraging South Australians to have a bushfire survival plan.
The CFS announced earlier dates for fire danger season at the start of the month following a string of total fire bans for the West Coast, Eastern Eyre Peninsula and North East Pastoral districts and an untraditionally early bushfire on the Eyre Peninsula in September.
The earlier dates have been brought forward in six districts, with Flinders, North East Pastoral, North West Pastoral and West Coast to start on October 16, followed by Mid North and Yorke Peninsula districts on November 1.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the state government was taking action now to ensure the state was prepared for the bushfire season.
"We're investing in the necessary equipment to ensure our firefighters are well-equipped and we're undertaking prescribed burns across the state," he said.
"I encourage all South Australians to ensure their properties are clean and ready for summer and bushfire survival plans and kits are in place and updated."
CFS chief officer Brett Loughlin said preparing for the bushfire season is a shared responsibility and encouraged everyone to prepare their homes and properties.
"As an all-hazard agency, our volunteers are always prepared and ready to respond to a bushfire," he said.
"We have thousands of volunteers across the state who train hard throughout the year, risking their lives for their community every day.
"Make sure your Bushfire Survival Plan is complete and have a plan for what the whole family will do when a bad day approaches.
"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."
Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs said he wanted the whole family included in bushfire preparations and that doing this would empower young family members.
"Practicing your bushfire survival plan is a great way to ensure you and the family know what to do when you're under pressure," he said.
