The start of the bushfire danger period has been brought forward by two months in much of NSW as 98% of the state battles drought.

The danger period traditionally begins in October, but this year the Rural Fire Service opted to trigger it today for a dozen areas around the Northern Tablelands, mid-north coast and south coast because of continuing dry conditions.

Queensland’s bushfire season also officially got underway today after some significant bushfires during July in the Wide Bay area, particularly around Bundaberg and Hervey Bay, and in the Gold Coast hinterland.

The NSW danger period announcement means landowners and managers are required to obtain a permit from their local fire control centre before lighting any fires, including hazard reduction burns.

“Conditions across the state are drier and warmer than average,” Rural Fire Service Acting Commissioner Rob Rogers said. There were more fires in July and August last year than in summer.

“Recent fires on the mid-north coast and in the Hunter region have shown that bushfires can strike at any time and it is vitally important to be prepared,” Mr Rogers said.

Homeowners should clean gutters, remove combustibles from yards and ensure hoses can reach all corners of a property, he said. They should also complete or update their survival plans so all family members know what to do in the event of a bushfire.

Australia’s fire seasons are becoming longer and more severe. Last August parts of NSW experienced out-of-control fires and there were total fire bans in September.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has prepared for this bushfire season with dozens of mitigation programs in recent months, including hazard reduction burns, community education and the building of fire breaks.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service conducted more than 300 planned burns that covered more than a million hectares.

The state’s Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford says last season’s confronting numbers are still fresh in the minds of Queenslanders: four million hectares of land burned, there were 2611 fires and 1984 bushfire community warnings issued.

“After last year’s catastrophic and unprecedented season, fire and emergency services are equipped to deal with more major bushfires and our highly-skilled firefighters are ready to respond,” he said.

Since last season, 119 new rural fire trucks have been introduced across Queensland.

Former NSW Fire and Rescue Commissioner Greg Mullins says bushfire conditions are more extreme and unpredictable as a result of climate change.

Mr Mullins is now a member of The Climate Council, a crowdfunded organisation that provides information from scientists and experts. It was formed in 2013 after the Federal Government ceased funding the Climate Commission.

“Rising greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of coal, oil and gas are worsening extreme weather and putting people in danger,” Mr Mullins said. “Australia must continue the transition to renewables with storage technologies.”