BREAKING: 24 People Arrested For Starting Australia Fires

Law enforcement officials in the Australian state of New South Wales announced on Monday that two dozen people have been arrested and charged for intentionally starting brushfires over the past two months.

According to the police statement, over 180 people—including 40 juveniles—have been arrested since November 8, 2019, for 205 bushfire-related offenses.

The NSW Police confirm that 18 people have died as a result of the numerous fires which have burned more than 4.9 million hectares of land. Hundreds of millions of animals and livestock have been killed as a result of the fires. Here’s more from the NSW Police:

Of note:

  • 24 people have been charged over alleged deliberately-lit bushfires

  • 53 people have had legal actions for allegedly failing to comply with a total fire ban, and

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  • 47 people have had legal actions for allegedly discarding a lighted cigarette or match on land.

Individuals charged could face up to a $5,500 fine as well as 25 years in prison. Check out the full list of charges and corresponding penalties below:

Penalties relating to bushfires under the NSW Crimes Act, the Rural Fires Act, and Rural Fires Regulation include:

– Damaging property with the intention of endangering life – up to 25 years imprisonment;
– Manslaughter – up to 25 years imprisonment;
– Starting a bushfire and being reckless as to its spread – up to 21 years imprisonment;
– Lighting a fire when a total fire ban is in place – up to 12 months imprisonment and/or a $5500 fine;
– Not putting out a fire that you have lit – up to 12 months imprisonment and/or a $5500 fine;
– Failing to comply with a bush fire hazard reduction notice – up to 12 months imprisonment and/or a $5500 fine;
– Light or use a tobacco product within 15metres of any stack of grain, hay corn, straw or any standing crop, dry grass or stubble field – up to a $5500 fine.