South Australian firefighters brace for Christmas bushfires

South Australian firefighters are on high alert for Christmas Day bushfires, with hot and windy conditions predicted for much of the state.

The mercury is forecast to reach 38C in Adelaide, with strong northerly winds forecast throughout the morning.

A significant change is tipped to arrive mid-afternoon, bringing cooler temperatures and rain but also very gusty southerly winds and possible lightning storms.

Total fire bans are in place in the northwest pastoral, northeast pastoral, west coast, eastern Eyre Peninsula, Flinders, mid north, Mount Lofty ranges, Yorke Peninsula, Riverland, Murraylands, upper south east and lower south east districts.

The state's south east is tipped to be most at risk of bushfire activity but firefighters will be on standby across the state to deal with any flare-ups.