THE RURAL Fire Service has declared a Total Fire Ban across the Mid North Coast due to forecast hot and windy conditions today.
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On only the sixth day of spring, we're expecting temperatures in the low 30s and the fire danger rating is extreme.
No fires may be lit in the open and all fire permits are suspended.
The NSW Police Force is reminding people that it works closely alongside the NSW RFS and Fire and Rescue NSW in investigating deliberately lit blazes.
Forecast maximums:
- Macksville 31
- Seven Oaks 28
- South West Rocks 26
- Bowraville 32
- Nambucca Heads 28
- Congarinni 31
- Hat Head 26
- Valla 30
- Eungai Creek 30
- Scotts Head 28
- Kempsey 31
- Crescent Head 27
- Willawarrin 33
- Collombatti 32
Fire Danger Ratings give you an indication of the consequences of a fire, if one was to start. The higher the fire danger, the more dangerous the conditions. You should use the Fire Danger Ratings as a trigger to take action.
Find out more about the bush fire danger ratings.
Bush fires are more likely to spread and cause damage on days when the weather is very hot, dry and windy. These are usually on very high to extreme fire days.
Penalties relating to bushfires under the NSW Crimes Act, the Rural Fires Act, and Rural Fires Regulation include:
. Damaging property with the intention of endangering life - up to 25 years' imprisonment;
. Manslaughter - up to 25 years imprisonment;
. Starting a bushfire and being reckless as to its spread - up to 21 years' imprisonment;
. Lighting a fire when a total fire ban is in place - up to 12 months' imprisonment and/or a $5500 fine;
. Not putting out a fire that you have lit - up to 12 months imprisonment and/or a $5500 fine;
. Failing to comply with a bush fire hazard reduction notice - up to 12 months' imprisonment and/or a $5500 fine;
. Light or use a tobacco product within 15 metres of any stack of grain, hay corn, straw or any standing crop, dry grass or stubble field - up to a $5500 fine.
Anyone with information about the suspicious lighting of fires should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333-000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via the Police's Facebook and Twitter pages.
In a life-threatening emergency, members of the public should always phone Triple Zero (000).
