South Australia is bracing for a dangerous bushfire season with the state government to conduct burn-offs on private land for the first time to minimise the fire risk.
Sixty-five burns will be conducted to reduce the fuel load across 7300 hectares of public and private land.
The state government hopes to conduct as many as possible during spring and will complete the program in autumn next year.
"Preparation is the most important thing when it comes to bushfire season and the state government is focused on helping to reduce the threat this summer," Environment Minister David Speirs said.
"We have been working closely with primary producers, councils and community members to plan a number of strategic cross-tenure prescribed burns that include private land to help landholders limit bushfire risk."
The minister said the move to conduct burn-offs on some private land for the first time reflected the reality that fires "don't stop a fence line".
Large parts of South Australia have experienced drier-than-average conditions since the beginning of 2018, adding to the fire risk this summer.
The current Bureau of Meteorology outlook is for those dry conditions to persist through spring and summer.
Emergency Services Minister Corey Wingard urged all landholders to work with the government to reduce bushfire risk.
"The warmer weather should serve as a reminder for everyone to start preparing for the fire danger season which is a few weeks away," he said.
"Everyone has a responsibility to be ready by having a bushfire survival plan and reducing fire hazards around their properties."
