A million NSW homes are at risk during the upcoming fire season, authorities warn.
The hot, dry effects of El Nino are expected to make conditions even worse than those experienced in the devastating 2013-14 season, with the dire prediction placing authorities on high alert.
Emergency Services Minister Stuart Ayres said on Tuesday the forecasted conditions would not be friendly to fire crews and people needed to be prepared for the threat.
"Lots and lots and people will be susceptible to that risk," he said.
"In fact, over one million properties around NSW will be at risk of fire throughout the course of this season."
Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said the state was at the above-average risk despite recent rainfall.
"We've seen some good rain in the last month, some very welcome rain which gave us respite and some reprieve from what we were facing," he said.
"(But) the rainfall that's come, whilst welcome, is also bringing another big risk and that is complacency."
Mr Fitzsimmons said research released on Tuesday revealed one-in-four people living near the 2013 fires in the Blue Mountains, Port Stephens and Southern Highlands had no plan for what to do in a bushfire.
And of the 73 per cent who did have one, only one-in-10 had written it down.
In addition to echoing the RFS's warning, the state government has also made changes to the 10/50 vegetation laws.
The entitlement zone of the less dangerous Category Two vegetation has been decreased to 150 metres from 350 metres after research revealed the potential for fire did not merit the enlarged area.
Fines for unauthorised reduction burns and throwing away lit cigarettes have also been raised.
While the bushfire season officially begins on Wednesday, there have already been more than 1400 fires across NSW since August 1 including a blaze that destroyed five homes in Kempsey.
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