Long summer grass reaching the end of its lifecycle and beginning to cure could soon become prime bushfire fuel, local RFS fire mitigation officer Chris Quinn said.

“It’s wholly weather dependent at the moment. If the rain keeps coming the way it has been we won’t have any problems. But it would only take a week or so of hot, dry weather and that could completely change,” he said.

“If we do get a hot spell now while the grass is curing off quite nicely, (then) as soon as it dries it becomes fuel, and that can happen quite quickly.

“That’s the message we’ve been putting out, that things can change for the worse very quickly, and for people to be vigilant.”

Mr Quinn encouraged residents to put a bushfire survival plan in place to protect their home and family from bushfire over the remaining summer period.

Meanwhile, Minister for Emergency Management Robert McClelland has launched a website aimed at educating the community about arson and provides people with the tools to report suspicious activity in their region.

“Sadly, up to 50 per cent of bushfires in Australia are deliberately lit or start in suspicious circumstances” Mr McClelland said.

“Government and emergency authorities can’t fight arson on their own – we need the help of the community.”

To report suspicious behavior or for further information, visit the Bushfire Arson Prevention website at www.bushfirearson.gov.au For assistance in developing your bushfire survival plan, visit the RFS website at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au