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.
This footage shows the reality for first responders in Australia as they face down devastating fires pic.twitter.com/PNHa2usqR5
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) January 7, 2020
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
— Advertisement — -
47 people have had legal actions for allegedly discarding a lighted cigarette or match on land.
Truly Disgusting that people would do this! God Bless Australia.
More than 180 alleged arsonists have been arrested since the start of the bushfire season, with 29 blazes deliberately lit in the Shoalhaven region of southeast NSW in just three months. https://t.co/xP0PtMQbuD— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 7, 2020
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.
A superimposed map of Australia over the U.S. shows the spread of the many massive wildfires raging across the country. [Corrects previous map, which indicated overall regions affected the blazes.] https://t.co/XeL6IjyZWZ pic.twitter.com/fy2JOOsZEt
— ABC News (@ABC) January 7, 2020
