PATROLS will be held in Gunbower State Forest to stamp out illegal campfires.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Conservation Regulator officers, with Forest Fire Management Victoria, will patrol popular camping and recreation areas looking for unsafe campfires to prevent bushfires and penalise people found in breach of campfire safety rules.
They will also remind visitors about campfire safety and encourage people to report suspicious or illegal activities, including unattended campfires, to 136 186.
“All too often, we see the consequences of people ignoring campfire safety rules, with approximately 10 per cent of all bushfires caused by campfire negligence,” Loddon Mallee acting regulatory operations manager Glenn Smith said.
“It is a serious offence to leave a fire unattended, even for a short while. Campfires can escape if left unattended.
“If you light a campfire, you are legally responsible for ensuring it is safe, does not escape and is completely extinguished before you leave.”
The maximum penalty for lighting a fire during a Total Fire Ban is $39,652 or two years’ jail or both, and $496 on-the-spot fines can be issued for people breaching other campfire safety rules.
17°C