The penalties for throwing a lit cigarette butt or match from a car just got tougher, along with burning on total fire ban days.
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Tough new penalties will empower police and firefighters to bring those who deliberately and recklessly disrespect Total Fire Ban warnings before the courts, after the NSW Parliament passed the Rural Fires Amendment Bill 2014.
Offenders can be prosecuted under a new offence and face a fine of up to $132,000 and/or seven years’ jail if they deliberately light or allow a fire to escape their property on a Total Fire Ban day.
A jury can still find someone guilty of the existing offence, which carries serious penalties of up to $110,000 and up to five years jail time, if they think the person did not have enough warning a Total Fire Ban was in place.
Other changes allow NSW Police and the Rural Fire Service to penalise less serious offenders with fines up to $2,200.
Firefighters said many landholders ignored warnings and burnt their properties even during total bans.
Other amendments will streamline fire permit requirements and ensure those who throw lit cigarettes, matches or other “fire objects” from a vehicle will be held accountable, not just the registered owner.