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As Victorians head outdoors to enjoy the King's Birthday long weekend, fire and land authorities are reminding campers and visitors to forests and parks to be safe around campfires.
Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman said with cooler temperatures settling in, it might feel like the fire risk has passed, but with parks and forests remaining dry, campfires can quickly escape and become devastating bushfires.
After a warmer and drier-than-average autumn and normal rainfall expected this winter, the fire risk is higher than usual – particularly in parts of western, southwestern and southeastern Victoria.
"Even at this time of year, just one unattended or poorly managed campfire can cause serious damage to the environment and put lives and property at risk," Mr Hardman said.
"This season, we've responded to more than 370 incidents involving campfires. This included the Boroka Lookout Fire, where an illegal campfire turned into a bushfire in difficult terrain, on the edge of the cliff diverting resources responding to bushfires in the Grampians National Park.
"With a little extra care around your campfire this long weekend, we can keep forests and parks healthy and safe for everyone to enjoy.
"Never leave a campfire unattended and use water to fully extinguish it – if it's cool to touch it's safe to leave.
Chief Conservation Regulator Kate Gavens said: "Campfires are a cause of bushfires that are 100% preventable and our authorised officers will be visiting campsites throughout Victoria's parks and forests to make sure everyone is following the rules so we can all have a safe and enjoyable long weekend."
Parks Victoria Executive Director of Operations Kylie Trott said: "We want people to get out and enjoy Victoria's great outdoors, but unsafe campfires can have devastating consequences. It only takes one camper ignoring the rules to endanger the community and our environment."
CFA Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook AFSM said while conditions over the weekend will also be an opportune time for residents to burn-off, extreme care should be taken to ensure enough water and resources are on hand to extinguish burns properly.
"Escaped burn-offs, particularly in the current dry conditions, continue to cause significant concern and great risk to our communities across the state," he said.
"It is really important landowners have someone monitoring their fire activity at all times. Although cooler days are arriving, now is not the time to be complacent.
"This weekend, take a moment to check the wind forecast, ensure you've left ample room in your fire break and please register your burn-off online to help reduce unnecessary callouts to emergency services."
Before hitting the road, people should be familiar with local campfire regulations and safety measures to help protect the environment and local communities at https://www.vic.gov.au/campfires-stoves-and-bbqs.
People who breach campfire regulations on public land face a maximum penalty of $19,759 if the matter is prosecuted in court. The maximum penalty for lighting or maintaining a fire during a day of Total Fire Ban is $47,421.60 and/or 2 years in jail.
Report unattended campfires to 136 186 or call 000 to report a bushfire.
Remember, if you light it, you own it!
