The traditional bush fire season has begun and while local brigades have only attended a handful of fires to date, officials are urging people to not be complacent and have a bush fire survival plan ready.

Due to a wet and feed abundant winter and spring, areas in the Upper Hunter have seen dramatic vegetation growth compared to other years, which when it burns off will be fuel for fire.

And it doesn’t take much to start a fire – it can be a little combustion or a careless flick of a cigarette out of a car window.

The NSW Rural Fire Service has issued a warning to the Liverpool Range Zone area, which includes the Upper Hunter, of the heightened potential for grass fires and urged landholders to be aware.

Liverpool Range Zone group captain Craig Murphy oversees 14 brigades in the Upper Hunter Shire and is also warning people to be prepared whether they have lots of fuel on their property or not.

“Complacency is the thing that gets people and we’re trying to bring everyone’s awareness to the fact that a large grass fire could be just around the corner,” Mr Murphy said.

“We’d like to see people prepare their properties and we want people to be aware just how quickly a grass fire can spread.”

The last thing Mr Murphy wants to witness is a repeat of the large fire at Timor two years ago that burnt out more than 4000 hectares of land.

Liverpool Range Zone acting community safety officer inspector Graham Brown said every landholder should be prepared for fire and have fire fighting equipment on hand, such as a full knapsack, spray pumper or hand held chemical fire extinguisher in good working order.

“Every landholder should also have their Bush Fire Survival Plan ready so they and their family can make decisions quickly if a fire threatens their property.”

Other tips include establishing fire breaks, being aware that when blades of slashers or mowers hit rocks or metal sparks can ignite a grass fire, registering any static water supply sources on your property including dams and pools with the fire service so they can be used as water sources if needed.

Mr Murphy also said that the door was always open for new volunteers as at times the service becomes stretched for resources.

For more information, visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au or contact 1800 679 737.