The Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade, Bacchus Marsh police and Moorabool Shire have banded together to declare “zero tolerance” for illegal burn-offs this fire season.
The fire danger period begins in Moorabool Shire next Monday, meaning fires cannot be lit in the open without a written permit from the CFA or Moorabool’s fire prevention officer.
Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade’s Captain Nathan Ractliffe said this fire season the CFA would take a zero tolerance approach to any fires resulting from negligent behaviour.
“Anyone who lights a fire or recklessly causes a fire during this period may possibly face criminal charges,” Mr Ractliffe said. “We don’t want people to light fires at all.”
He said lighting fires during this period could put lives and properties at risk.
“[Fires] have the potential to cause loss of life and damage to property and our mantra at CFA is to protect life and property at all costs.”
Mr Ractliffe said people needed to be more aware of the risks when lighting a fire.
He said even if the conditions seemed OK one day, the next day could bring 30-degree-plus heat with northerly winds that could possibly reignite the fire.
“The weather affects everything. It has an extreme effect on fire behaviour,” he said.
Bacchus Marsh police’s Senior Sergeant Edward Lappin said people often confused the starting date of the fire danger period, but that was no excuse.
“Ignorance is not a defence to breaching the restriction laws,” Senior Sergeant Lappin said.
“We will be clamping down significantly and policing for unattended fires, and prosecuting in relation to them as well,” he said.
Senior Sergeant Lappin said everyone had a responsibility to be diligent when managing fires. “Be very, very aware of when the restrictions take place and what the requirements are when the restrictions do take place,” he said. “And join us in proactively reporting any local breaches.”
He urged the community to be aware of fire activity and report any fires by calling triple-0 immediately.
Moorabool Shire Council’s municipal emergency manager, Cherie Graham, said the council would not issue local law permits to burn during the declared fire season because it was “too dangerous”.
The fire danger period begins on Monday, November 24, at 1am.
Victorians can find out “Can I or Can’t I?” information at cfa.vic.gov.au/can or by calling 1800 240 667.
All burn-offs should be registered with the VicFire burn-off notification line on 1800 668 511.
