Fire authorities and public land managers are reminding campers to make sure they check the conditions and brush up on campfire safety ahead of the upcoming long weekend.
The Conservation Regulator, Parks Victoria, and Forest Fire Management Victoria will be conducting patrols in Victoria’s parks and forests throughout the weekend to make sure campers are doing the right thing.
Chris Hardman, Chief Fire Officer, Forest Fire Management Victoria said even if a Total Fire Ban has not been declared, we encourage campers to consider the need for a campfire on hot or windy days.
“If you are building a campfire, make sure you know how to build a safe one, don’t leave it unattended while it is alight and that you put it out with water. If the ashes are cool to touch – it’s safe to leave. It only takes one stray ember to cause a destructive fire.”
A total of 257 unattended campfires and BBQs have been detected by the Conservation Regulator, Parks Victoria and Forest Fire Operations field staff on public land so far this financial year.
Over the last few weeks where Total Fire Bans have been declared, fire authorities and land managers continue to detect illegal campfires across the state during extreme weather conditions. Heavy penalties apply for anyone lighting a campfire on a Total Fire Ban day.
Kate Gavens, Chief Conservation Regulator said their authorised officers will be visiting campsites throughout Victoria’s parks and forests making sure everyone is following the rules.
So we can all have a safe and enjoyable long weekend,” she said.
Chris Mercier, Manager, Enforcement Capability, Parks Victoria said they 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,” he said.
Many people try to put out campfires incorrectly with soil, or not enough water to extinguish them completely. Fires that haven’t been properly extinguished can smoulder under soil for days and reignite in the right conditions – if it is cool to touch it is safe to leave.
To ensure campfires are safe:
Always check fire restrictions before you light a fire, including whether a Total Fire Ban is in place.
Download the VicEmergency app or go to https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/
Plan ahead and consider alternatives for cooking such as a portable butane cooktop.
Use a purpose-built fireplace if available, otherwise dig a trench at least 30cm deep.
Always follow the designated rules of your campsite.
In national parks, fires can only be lit in purpose-built fireplaces unless marked otherwise.
The campfire must not exceed one square metre, and three metres above and around your fire must be clear of flammable material.
Branches and logs on your campfire must be no longer than one metre.
Never leave a campfire unattended – an adult must always stay within a 50-metre line of sight.
Campfires must be extinguished with at least 10 litres of water every time you leave the site.
All rubbish must be taken home with you, not burned.
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 Total Fire Ban day is $47,421.60 and/or two years in jail. Report unattended campfires to DEECA at 136 186 or call 000 to report a bushfire.
For more on campfire rules go to: https://www.vic.gov.au/campfires-stoves-and-bbqs
