Fire authorities and public land managers have called on anyone camping in Victorian parks, reserves and forests this summer to check the conditions and brush up on campfire safety.
The Conservation Regulator, Parks Victoria, and Forest Fire Management Victoria are reminding campers to act responsibly and be campfire-safe to prevent bushfires, particularly as the weather gets warmer.
“Campfires are a cause of bushfires that are 100 per cent preventable. Ensure you know the rules and are up to date on weather conditions before you light any fire. Your fire is your responsibility,” Chief Conservation Regulator Kate Gavens said.
A total of 726 unattended campfires and barbecues were detected by Conservation Regulator, Parks Victoria and Forest Fire Operations field staff on public land for the 2023/24 financial year.
Authorised Officers are increasing patrols across Victoria’s public land as we head into summer to ensure campers are doing the right thing.
During the Labour Day long weekend authorised officers patrolled campsites statewide and found more than 40 campfires still alight during a Total Fire Ban.
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.
“Never leave a campfire unattended and always put a campfire 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,” Forest Fire Management Victoria Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman said.
Before you light a fire check fire restrictions and for any Total Fire Ban restrictions. Download the VicEmergency app to stay informed.
· 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, even for a short while. If the remains of the campfire, including coals, are cool to touch, it is safe to leave.
· All rubbish must be taken home with you, not burned.
“We want people to get out and enjoy Victoria’s great outdoors, but unsafe campfires can have devastating consequences. Don’t be the one to leave a campfire unattended or ignore park regulations—protect people, parks and the environment by taking responsibility for and practising bushfire safety,” Parks Victoria Manager Enforcement Operations Chris Mercier said.
People who breach campfire regulations on public land face fines of $577 or a maximum penalty of $19,231 if the matter is prosecuted in court. The maximum penalty for lighting or maintaining a fire during a Total Fire Ban is $46,154 and/or two years in jail.
Report unattended campfires to 136 186 or call 000 to report a bushfire. For more on campfire skills go to: vic.gov.au/campfires-stoves-and-bbqs
