Given the current weather, with little rain forecast, the Rural Fire Service is predicting a busy couple of months.

October 1 was the official start of the bushfire season because permits are now required from the Rural Fire Service to light a fire.

The fire season runs from October 1 to March 31, unless changed by the Rural Fire Service due to conditions at the time.

Pindimar residents were affected by the fire season when a bushfire was started under suspicious circumstances on Wednesday, September 26.

Police investigations are continuing and residents are urged to contact the Tea Gardens Local Police office if they have any information.

Fires also raged across the long weekend in nationl parks surrounding Sydney.

The fires in Port Stephens completely destroyed one home and damaged at least two other residential areas.

“It is early in the season for this many fires in the area, but the dry conditions are not helping,” acting inspector at the Great Lakes Rural Fire Service, Darrin Briggs said.

People can prepare their homes by cleaning their gutters and property from debris, maintaining their yard and making plans if an evacuation needs to take place.

“If a fire does occur and people decide to stay with their homes, they need to make sure they are capable of defending their property.

“People should also be dressed in appropriate clothing, they shouldn’t wear synthetic material because it tends to melt,” Mr Briggs said.

Cotton long-sleeved shirts, jeans, good boots gloves and goggles should be worn.

“If people are going to evacuate then they should do so early and not wait until the last minute,” Mr Briggs said.

As of Monday, October 1, anyone who wants to burn off needs a permit from the Rural Fire Service control office.

A permit officer will visit the property free of charge for an inspection, before issuing the permit.

To arrange an inspection of your property, phone the Great Lakes Fire Control office on 6555 5782.

For more information on the bushfire season visit www.rsf.nsw.gov.au.