People will face fines of up to $132,000 and as much as seven years in jail if they are found to have deliberately lit a fire during a total fire ban, under the Rural Fires Amendment Act.

The penalties will also apply to people who have a fire permit but allow a fire to escape their property during a total ban.

Lower Hunter RFS Superintendent Jason McKellar said the tough measures would send a strong message to people who were irresponsible with fire.

“The RFS and police are not going to tolerate careless and malicious use of fire,” he said.

“But at the other end of the scale, we will use this to educate people how to use fire in the correct manner.

“In the Hunter Valley we have rural areas close to urban areas and people on rural properties need to use fire.”

NSW Minister of Police and Emergency Services Stuart Ayres said the new penalties would target people who blatantly disregarded other people’s safety.

“These new laws ensure fire bugs will have to face the consequences of their actions,” he said.

“We are seeing a lot of people ignore warnings and conducting burns on their own properties with complete disregard for total fire bans.

“Out of control fires have a devastating impact on life, property and communities. It’s only right that those who cause this devastation should have the book thrown at them.”

It has been a year since major bushfires swept through the Hunter, Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands regions.

Superintendent McKellar said recent rain in the Hunter had eased conditions since the bushfire danger period began this month – but Lower Hunter crews were prepared for a tough summer.

“We live in the Hunter Valley, so that means hot, dry, windy conditions.”