With summer heating up, Victoria Police is reminding everyone of their personal responsibility when it comes to fire risk this season and warning that 'if you light it, you own it'.
A fire started through reckless behaviour can have the same outcomes as a deliberately lit fire, including significant loss of life, serious injury, property damage and more.
Last bushfire season (year end June 2025), there were 59 offences relating to causing a bushfire, with 23 of these due to reckless behaviour.
Notably, local police evacuated more than 150 people from campsites in the Cape Otway area after responding to reports of a fire in bushland at Blanket Bay Road and Red Hill Track about 2:20am on Wednesday, 8 January 2025.
The fire was deemed under control by 9am on 8 January, with 14 hectares burnt.
Fortunately, no one was physically injured during the bushfire, but investigators determined the cause to be an unattended campfire which appeared not to have been extinguished.
Police are warning they will investigate and take action to catch those responsible when a fire is deemed suspicious, whether it was a deliberate or reckless action.
Anyone found guilty of recklessly or intentionally causing a bushfire faces a penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment.
The most common causes of recklessly lit fires are:
- disobeying restrictions relating to Total Fire Bans or fire danger periods
- burning off
- leaving campfires unattended
- car exhausts and machinery
- use of tools such as angle grinders and welding equipment out in the open
- bonfires and flares
- farming machinery such as slashers and harvesters.
During the fire season Victoria Police implements Operation Safeguard, so that police are ready to respond to the threat of fire.
Operation Safeguard aims to prevent or reduce the impact of intentional and recklessly lit fires across Victoria, and involves preparedness arrangements and deployment plans for periods of heightened risk during the fire season.
Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad work closely with the 277 Arson and Explosive Liaison Officers (AELOs) across Victoria, all of whom use their local knowledge to prevent, detect and respond to fires.
The community also plays an incredibly important role in the prevention of bushfires and remains key in reporting reckless or suspicious behaviour.
Police are keen to speak to anyone who witnesses concerning behaviour in relation to fires, or anyone who has been told about this behaviour taking place.
This information could prove crucial in preventing a bushfire.
Further information about bushfire arson and reckless fires is also available on the Victoria Police website: Bushfire arson (police.vic.gov.au)
Learn more about the Victoria Police and Crimestoppers 'You Light It, You Own It, bushfire campaign: Bushfires - Crime Stoppers Victoria
Anyone who witnesses suspicious or reckless behaviour as it is occurring should call Triple Zero (000) and anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers.com.au
Quotes attributable to Arson and Explosives Squad Detective Inspector, Chris Murray:
"There are so many things that the community can do to ensure the risk of bushfire is reduced this summer and the key one for us is taking personal responsibility for any activities you undertake that could lead to an out-of-control bushfire.
"While leaving a campfire unattended or operating machinery on a total fire ban day may not seem like a big deal, police and our emergency services partners can speak first-hand to the devastating consequences that can occur when these actions go wrong.
"It may seem like this behaviour is accidental, but it is negligent and criminal.
"This should serve as an important reminder to the community that if you light it, you own it.
"We won't hesitate to hold those to account for starting a fire - whether it is recklessly or deliberately lit, the outcome is usually the same.
"If you are going to be lighting a fire or engaging in any activities that could lead to a significant fire starting, consider that if it gets away from you, you could be held criminally responsible".
Quotes attributable to State Emergencies and Support Command Superintendent, Simon Stevens:
"We've been working closely with our emergency services partners and the community to prepare for the fire season.
"Preventing fires before they happen is always our preference, but we implement Operation Safeguard over the fire season so that we are always prepared and ready to respond to fires that occur.
"For areas at risk of fire, expect to see a highly visible police presence, particularly during fire danger periods."
