The bushfire danger period began for the warm months last week (1 September) when 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the State’s coastal areas were prompted to prepare their residents to be ready for the season change ahead.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott said it was important that communities in the named LGAs were aware of their bushfire risk as recent rains had increased grass and crop growth which raised the threat of grass fires in dry weather.
Mr Elliott said the LGAs on alert were Muswellbrook, Singleton, Mid-Coast, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Clarence Valley, Ballina, Byron, Tweed, Nambucca, Kempsey, Bellingen, Coffs Harbour, Lismore, Richmond Valley, Kyogle, Gunnedah, Liverpool Plains, Upper Hunter, Bega Valley, Eurobodalla and Shoalhaven.
He said they joined the Armidale, Walcha, Uralla, Glen Innes Severn, Inverell and Tenterfield LGAs, whose bushfire danger period had already started on 1 August.
Mr Elliott said remaining areas of NSW were scheduled to commence their bushfire danger period on 1 October.
“Grass fires can be especially volatile and it is important landowners take safe and practical steps to mitigate their risk,” the Minister said.
“We remind the communities entering their bushfire danger period that they now have additional responsibilities and must obtain the required approvals before lighting any fires and ensure they have adequate firefighting resources on hand.”
Mr Elliott said people who failed to seek a permit before lighting fires could face fines of up to $5,500 and/or 12 months’ jail, while escaped burns attracted penalties of up to $110,000 and/or five years’ jail.
