NSW residents urged to prepare for bushfire season now after hazard reduction targets missed

A NSW Rural fire service firefighter battles a bushfire at West Wallsend in December last year. Authorities are warning that years of wet weather and thriving vegetation have hampered hazard reduction efforts. Photograph: Roni Bintang/Getty Images

Years of wet weather and vegetation growth have made it harder for the New South Wales fire authorities to prepare for this year’s bushfire season that officially begins on Tuesday, with warnings to residents to prepare now.

The NSW Rural fire service (RFS) has already responded to more than 1,600 bush and grass fires across the state since the start of July.