RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimons urged those living in bushfire-prone areas to download free bushfire survival plans from www.rfs.nsw.gov.au and to have a conversation with their families.

"There are only two pages to fill in and those two pages could save the lives of you and your loved ones," he said.

Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins said it was also important for people who did not live close to bushland to make preparations.

"Embers from bushfires can travel great distances, across several streets or even up to 30 kilometres in the worst of weather conditions and when they land they can start new fires," he said.

"That is why it is essential that you have a Bushfire Survival Plan and prepare your property, even if you don't live right next to the bushland. This means clearing gutters of leaves, maintaining gardens and checking that your garden hoses can reach all corners of your property."

Conducting a hazard reduction burn during the danger period required contacting the local NSW RFS Fire Control Centre or local fire station to apply for a free permit.

Heavy penalties, including fines up to $2200, were in place for landholders who did not follow the rules.

Meanwhile RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has announced changes to the 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Entitlement, which was created to give people living near bushland more protection against bushfires after devastating blazes destroyed more than 200 homes last year.

When it was introduced in August, the entitlement allowed property owners living within 350m of Category 1 and Category 2 Bushfire Prone Land to remove trees within 10 metres and vegetation within 50m of their home, without state or local approval, on their own land.

National research showed, historically, 99 per cent of homes destroyed by bush fires were within 350 metres of bushland.

But since its introduction some councils and community groups raised concerns about the 350m entitlement area, particularly on small parcels of land.

Commissioner Fitzsimmons yesterday announced changes to the entitlement including

- The 10/50 entitlement area for Category 2 Bush Fire Prone Land was now 150m, reduced from

350 metres

- Councils would be able to reclassify smaller parcels of vegetation from Category 1 to Category 2, therefore reducing the entitlement area. (Category 2 is areas where the vegetation poses a reduced fire risk.)

The NSW RFS has brought forward the formal review of the 10/50 scheme to start today.

It would provide communities the opportunity to provide feedback.

Details could be found on the NSW RFS website.

"These changes address council and community concerns while maintaining an appropriate level of protection for properties and the community," Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.