If you’re dusting off the barbecue, heading to a campsite or using machinery in warm weather, Victoria Police wants you to know your personal responsibilities and avoid the potential for reckless fire behaviour.
“Victoria is one of the most fire-prone areas in the world, and we have a long and tragic history with bushfires,” Victoria Police Arson and Explosives Squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray said.
“There are so many things that the community can do to ensure the risk of bushfire is reduced this summer and the key one for us is taking personal responsibility for any fires you light or activities you undertake that could lead to a fire starting.
“Complacency or ignorance could quite literally kill you and lead to significant loss of life and property.”
During fire season, Victoria Police has implemented Operation Safeguard, which aims to prevent or reduce the impact of intentional and recklessly lit fires across Victoria.
The approach involves preparedness arrangements and deployment plans for periods of high fire risk.
Operation Safeguard will run until March 2025.
This year, police particularly want to remind the community of the importance of being responsible during fire season and that a fire started through reckless behaviour can have the same outcomes as a deliberately lit fire, including significant loss of life, serious injury and property damage.
According to Victoria Police, there were 45 offences relating to causing a bushfire last fire season.
Almost half, 21, were due to reckless behaviour.
Burning off, leaving campfires unattended, farming machinery and disobeying total fire bans or fire danger restrictions are among the most common causes of recklessly lit fires.
“I know that to many people, things like leaving a campfire unattended or operating machinery on a total fire ban day don’t seem like a big deal,” Det Insp Murray said.
“It may seem like this behaviour is accidental, but it is actually criminal.
“The message from us is clear — you light it, you own it. We will be holding every single person to account for recklessly lighting fires.”
Anyone found guilty of recklessly or intentionally causing a bushfire faces a penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment.
Lighting a fire on a total fire ban day can attract a fine of up to $46,000 or up to two years in jail.
According to police, the community plays a big role in preventing bushfires, and remains key in reporting suspicious behaviour.
Anyone who witnesses suspicious or reckless behaviour as it is occurring should call 000 and anyone with other information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au
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