The state government this morning announced it would be tabling “tough new measures” in parliament which will allow SA Police to make an application in the Magistrates Court for an “indefinite electronic monitoring order” on someone convicted of a bushfire offence.

The legislation outlines that the court can only grant the order if it is satisfied the person still poses a risk to the community, the state government says.

The legislation is part of a pre-election commitment to keep the community safe from firebugs.

“SA Police work around the clock to keep South Australians safe, and there’s no doubt that the challenge of keeping us safe escalates tremendously on days of extreme fire danger,” Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs said in a statement.

“By giving SAPOL the ability to keep track of individuals who may seek to put others’ lives at risk, authorities will have another tool to minimise the risk of devastating bushfires.”

Fire danger season officially begins in five South Australian districts today and across the state on December 1.

The Country Fire Service is warning against complacency amid the wet weather, saying the persistent spring rains have led to “exponential” vegetation growth, providing more fuel to burn.

Chief officer Brett Loughlin said one in five South Australians living in a risk area are without a bushfire survival plan.

“It may be wet but the current weather patterns we are seeing across the state are causing exponential growth of vegetation, which means there will be more fuel to burn when the weather inevitably dries out,” he said.

“Don’t be fooled into thinking there is no bushfire risk in South Australia this season.

“Much of the state is seeing significant fuel growth, with some areas experiencing three times the normal growth of fuels such as spear grass.”

– with AAP