With the start of summer upon us, the CFA is urging the community to act safely, with nearly half of all bush and grassfires in the state being caused by reckless behaviour.
The summer seasonal outlook indicates an above-average fire risk in some areas this year, with experts advising vigilance as conditions worsen.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said that both reckless and deliberately lit bush and grass fires can have potentially disastrous consequences.
“These types of fires are preventable. They put our firefighters and the wider community at risk,” Heffernan said.
“We are urging everyone to be mindful of their actions and act responsibly to protect themselves and their loved ones.”
In recent months, the CFA has responded to several incidents where careless actions have sparked fires. In one case, a spark from welding ignited dry grass, resulting in a grass fire that required a full response from multiple CFA units. Fortunately, the fire was quickly contained, but Assistant Chief Fire Officer Rohan Taylor noted it could have had far worse consequences.
“This time it was a good outcome, but it only takes a few more small things to align, and these types of incidents can turn catastrophic,” Taylor said.
Another example occurred last year when a cigarette butt was allegedly discarded improperly, starting a fire that spread to nearby trees and caused damage to a home.
Reckless behaviour contributing to fire risks can include actions such as ignoring total fire bans, leaving campfires unattended, burning off without a permit, or using hot tools or machinery that emit sparks on fire ban days.
It is a criminal offence under Victorian law to cause a bushfire recklessly or to be reckless about the spread of a fire to vegetation or property.
The official bushfire seasonal outlook, released by the Australian and New Zealand National Council for Fire and Emergency Services (AFAC), has forecast an increased bushfire risk for several parts of the state due to severe rainfall deficits. The forecast indicates a higher fire risk in the south-west, western, and central parts of the state, including areas like coastal heathlands and woodlands, which are highly vulnerable due to a build-up of dead fuel.
Jason Heffernan stressed that all Victorians have a role to play in ensuring everyone stays safe this summer.
“It only takes one bad day to have a devastating fire season, so we need to stay vigilant,” he said.
“We know we face a challenging season ahead, and we want to ensure our firefighters aren’t being called out for incidents that could have been avoided.”
Fire restrictions are now in effect across most of the state, and Heffernan urged people to adhere to the rules during the Fire Danger Period.
“Make sure you understand the rules, they are in place to keep us all safe,” he said.
“Before the festive season gets too busy, take time to make an escape plan, especially if you’re travelling to a bushfire-prone area. Your plan should include the Fire Danger Rating that will trigger your decision to leave, where you’ll go, and how you’ll get there. Always consider different scenarios and back-up plans.”
“Leaving early, either the night before or early in the morning on a high-risk fire day, is always the safest option.”
