Campfire warning: Almost 250 campfire incidents since July 2024

SINCE July 1, 2024, Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and Country Fire Authority (CFA) have responded to almost 250 incidents involving campfires, including a bushfire that burnt through 14 hectares of land, left around 100 campers stranded and forced dozens more to evacuate a popular Cape Otway camp site in January.

FFMVic Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman urged people to be careful when it comes to campfires, as gusty winds can easily carry embers from a campfire into the bush, posing a serious fire risk.

“Campfires that escape are a big problem in Victoria. Always fully extinguish campfires with water, not soil and make sure it’s cool to touch before leaving,” Mr Hardman said.

“We want people to enjoy the bush safely. By knowing and following the rules for building and maintaining campfires, we can help keep the bush healthy and safe for everyone.”

Parks Victoria Executive Director Operations Kylie Trott said campfires are only allowed in dedicated fireplaces in most parks in Victoria.

“Not all parks or campgrounds allow campfires. There are some limited areas where campfires are permitted outside of constructed fireplaces, but you need to check before you go,” Ms Trott said.

“Remember to always have someone in attendance while a campfire is going and properly extinguish the fire with water before you leave. The consequences can be devastating if you don’t.”

Chief Conservation Regulator Kate Gavens said given the extreme fire hazard posed by unattended campfires, the Conservation Regulator takes a zero-tolerance approach to those found breaking the law when it comes to campfire safety.

“Unattended and unsafe campfires can result in devastating consequences. The risk is real, and all campers have a responsibility to know and abide by campfire rules,” Ms Gavens said.

“It just takes one ember to cause a destructive bushfire, and this is why there are significant fines for those who leave campfires unattended.

“Our forest and wildlife officers will be out over the weekend to remind campers about the…

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