<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Despite recent record rainfall, NSW is facing heightened bushfire risk this season, with authorities expressing concern over hazard reduction targets and community complacency. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Rural Fire Service (RFS) is urging residents to spend this weekend preparing their properties ahead of the start of the season, warning against complacency brought about by recent rain.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's only going to take a very short period of drying conditions," RFS commissioner Trent Curtin said. </span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/baby-killed-fiveyearold-seriously-injured-after-crash-in-sydneys-southwest/297edd64-9d50-4577-89a0-411a59a77214"><strong><span>Baby killed, five-year-old seriously injured after crash in Sydney's south-west</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"A hot and windy day will cause fast-moving grass fires to occur. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Areas that were burnt during the 2019 and 2020 bushfire season are now recovering to the extent that they will sustain dangerous fires."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Concerns have also been raised about NSW falling behind on its hazard reduction targets. </span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-bushfire-season-warning-complacency-lack-hazard-reduction-burns/815a829a-8ce7-4bcb-9a01-18b928b6946a" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We're struggling in terms of making sure we can meet our targets for hazard reduction," Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In 2024-25, the RFS was only able to get through 100,936 hectares – just 27 per cent of its hazard reduction target.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/springtime-sun-coming-for-australia/8b0867cf-ced0-4699-9339-b7e227722086"><strong><span>Mass power outages, severe weather warnings as destructive winds pick up</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Since July, only 8500 hectares have been treated.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The biggest concern is where the bush meets the suburbs.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Firefighters' biggest concern is where the bush meets the suburbs.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Embers can travel up to 30 kilometres from the fire front, catching property owners off guard.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ember attacks account for about 90 per cent of homes lost during bushfires.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Three hundred firefighting brigades across the state this weekend will be dedicated to helping residents prepare.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Clear your gutters, mow your lawn, get rid of grass clippings around the home, any combustible materials, have a sturdy hose that can reach all parts of your home and work with your local RFS brigade," Dib said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>This article was produced with the assistance of</span></em><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/9express/16480c33-636a-461f-9c4f-d0e2522c722a"><em><span>9ExPress</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>