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.
“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.
"With a little extra care around your campfire this long weekend, we can keep forests and parks healthy and safe for everyone to enjoy.
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“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 were a cause of bushfire which was 'one hundred per cent' preventable.
"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,” Ms Gavens said.
CFA acting chief officer Garry Cook 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 were 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,” Mr Cook 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."
Before travelling, people should be familiar with local campfire regulations and safety measures at 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.
Report unattended campfires to 136 186 or call 000 to report a bushfire.
