Accused fire starter to face court for allegedly starting a fire to protect cannabis crop

The turbofan-powered aircraft can carry up to 35,500 litres of water or fire retardant in an exterior belly-mounted tank. Photo / news.com.au

Fire bans remain in place for a number of areas along Australia's east coast, but according to police there's just no stopping some people.

A man accused of starting a blaze which sparked an emergency warning at Guyra Road in Ebor, east of Armidale, will face court this morning, accused of starting a fire to protect a cannabis crop while the east coast of Australia continues to burn.

Temperatures into the mid 30s, very low humidity and gusty winds once again threaten the state this weekend, after a week of firefighting that saw "catastrophic" conditions and four lives lost.

NSW remains in a state of emergency, with severe fire danger ratings issued for New England, the Northern Slopes and northwestern regions on Saturday. Total fire bans are in effect in those areas, as well as the far north coast, which has been issued a very high fire danger.

The RFS said more than 130 brigades will open on Saturday morning to speak with residents across the state about their fire plans at the beginning of what is expected to be a long bushfire season.

The four people killed in the past week are Barry Parsons 58, at Willawarrin, near Kempsey, Julie Fletcher, 63, who died in the town of Johns River, and Wytaliba locals Vivian Chaplain, 69, and George Nole.

The RFS said more than 250 homes have been destroyed, almost 90 homes have been damaged, and some 480 outbuildings and 18 facilities have also been razed. In some positive news the RFS believes their efforts have saved more than 2000 buildings.

In Queensland, QFES said most of the state will experience high and very high conditions this weekend, with the Granite Belt and Darling Downs expected to reach severe today and extreme tomorrow.

This article was first published on news.com.au.