The start of the official NSW bushfire danger period has been brought forward by two months, starting now in much of the state even though it is still winter.

The directive traditionally begins in October, but with drought affecting 98% of NSW the Rural Fire Service opted to trigger it on Thursday for a dozen areas around the Northern Tablelands, mid-north coast and south coast because of continuing dry conditions.

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

“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,” Rural Fire Service Acting Commissioner Rob Rogers says.

There were more fires in July and August last year than last summer.

Queensland’s bushfire season also opened on August 1 after some significant bushfires in July around Bundaberg and Hervey Bay, and in the Gold Coast hinterland.

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, covering more than a million hectares.

In Queensland last year, four million hectares of land burned, there were 2611 fires and 1984 bushfire community warnings issued. Since that season, 119 new rural fire trucks have come into service across the state.

Homeowners should clean gutters, remove combustibles from yards and ensure hoses can reach all corners of a property, Mr Rogers says.

They should also complete or update their survival plans so all family members know what to do in the event of a bushfire.