Police and Emergency Services Minister Michael Gallacher and Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons have urged residents to prepare now with thebush fire season now in place.

Tuesday marked the start of the statutory bush fire danger period in NSW. Some areas have already commenced their danger period due to continuing dry conditions.

“In the last few weeks we have already seen significant fire activity which has put homes and lives at risk,” Mr Gallacher said.

“With the warm and dry conditions forecast to continue it’s important everyone understands the increased risk this season and prepares for it.

“Last bush fire season was a challenging one in NSW, with more than 50 homes destroyed in January alone.

“In bush fires, complacency can kill. You may think a fire may not happen to you, but if you live in or near the bush, you are at risk and need to prepare now,” Mr Gallacher said.

Research conducted by the NSW Rural Fire Service and the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre following the January 2013 bush fires found a large number of people did not heed the warnings about the dangerous conditions.

“More than 40 per cent of people surveyed across some of the worst affected areas last summer including Coonabarabran, Yass and the Shoalhaven, stated they wished they had done more preparation,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

“Thirty-five per cent stated they wished they had a better plan.”

Commissioner Fitzsimmons said the majority of people knew that a Bush Fire Survival Plan could save their life but too many people left their planning to the last minute. That’s when lives are lost.

“We have just experienced the warmest winter on record and the latest forecasts are pointing to continuing dry and warm conditions,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

“In the last few weeks we have seen fires which have started and spread quickly.

“If you’ve been waiting for a wake-up call about preparing for bush fires, this is it.”

Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Commissioner Greg Mullins said it’s important those who do not live close to the bush also prepare.

“Embers from fires can travel great distances, landing several streets back from the bush and starting new fires. It’s often these residents that don’t consider themselves at risk.

“Therefore it’s essential that you have a plan and prepare your home even if you don’t live right next to bushland,” FRNSW Commissioner Greg Mullins said. This year alone more than 140,000 properties across the State, worth more than $64 billion, have been provided with protection from bush fires by hazard reduction work. “Hazard reduction is a vital tool in helping to protect lives and properties,’’ Commissioner Fitzsimmons concluded.