183 people cautioned or charged with bushfire incidents.
The NSW police have released a statement about the 183 people who have been cautioned or charged with bushfire rated incidents.
Since Friday 8 November 2019, legal action – which ranges from cautions through to criminal charges – has been taken against 183 people – including 40 juveniles – for 205 bushfire-related offences.
Of note:
- 24 people have been charged over alleged deliberately-lit bushfires
- 53 people have had legal actions for allegedly failing to comply with a total fire ban, and
- 47 people have had legal actions for allegedly discarding a lighted cigarette or match on land.
Some people are just infatuated with fire. Others just don’t think.
Source:
www.police.nsw.gov.au/news
Bushfire Related Penalties in New South Wales.
Penalties relating to bushfires under the NSW Crimes Act, the Rural Fires Act, and Rural Fires Regulation include:-
- 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 $5,500 fine;
- Not putting out a fire that you have lit – up to 12 months imprisonment and/or a $5,500 fine;
- Failing to comply with a bush fire hazard reduction notice – up to 12 months imprisonment and/or a $5,500 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 $5,500 fine.