As Victorians hit the road for an unofficial long weekend, the State’s forest and fire authorities have joined forces to try and prevent campfire catastrophes.
The Conservation Regulator, Parks Victoria, Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) are calling on people to remain vigilant around their campfires and barbecues to decrease the risk of fires spreading.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said with plenty of grass growth on public and private land in recent months, unattended camp fires and barbecues could quickly escape and spark bushfires.
CO Heffernan said conditions had been heating up in recent weeks which had dried vegetation out considerably.
“I urge all Victorians ahead of this weekend to check the Fire Danger Ratings and to heed our warnings before heading out and about,” CO Heffernan said.
“FFMVic crews have already responded to 96 unattended camp fires on public land this summer, many of which escaped and caused larger fires,” he said.
“Conservation Regulator and Parks Victoria Authorised Officers, and Forest Fire Management Victoria crews will patrol campsites on public land to educate campers and enforce camp fire rules to keep visitors and the environment safe.”
CO Heffernan also warned Victorians cranking up the barbecue to take care to avoid causing fires or burn injuries.
He said CFA firefighters responded to almost 200 barbecue and other outside cooking equipment-related fires across the State last financial year.
