Independent review launched into devastating South Australia bushfires

An independent review has been launched into South Australia's devastating bushfire season.

Premier Steven Marshall says the review, to be conducted by former Australian Federal Police commissioner Mick Keelty, will look into how well SA is prepared to deal with major fires and will consider what can be done to mitigate their impact in the future.

"This season has been particularly difficult and devastating for dozens of communities with huge losses never experienced before," Mr Marshall said today.

The review will have a particular focus on the fires in the Adelaide Hills and on Kangaroo Island which have destroyed more than 140 homes along with hundreds of other buildings.

There have also been significant stock losses across both regions along with damage to crops.

On Kangaroo Island, the blaze has burnt through more than 200,000 hectares, including most of the highly-prized Flinders Chase National Park.

The fires also claimed three lives, two on the island and one in the hills.

Mr Marshall said while the fire season wasn't over, it was important to start looking into how the state could adapt and learn from recent events.

"This is about ensuring our state is as ready and prepared as we can be for further significant bushfires," he said.

"We know there is still a long road to recovery and that our dedicated firefighters are still on high alert, but if we can take something valuable from what we have lived through then we will be better placed to respond in years to come."

Mr Keelty said the fires across southern and eastern Australia had devastated communities and he looked forward to working with the state government and those involved in the firefighting operations to review and analyse the bushfire season.

He is expected to deliver his findings by the end of June this year.