Spotlight on a smoke tree, an example of the abundance of flora in the Yarra Valley. Picture: Raylee BurnsBy Kath Gannaway
THE Department of Sustainability and Environment is warning holidaymakers to keep watch on their camp fires.
DSE North East, Manager of Fire and Land, Peter Farrell, said last summer 28 campfires turned into bushfires in the north east, placing people and property at risk.
“We can patrol, we can educate, we can have the best skilled firefighters and the latest technology, however nothing beats care and common sense,” Mr Farrell said.
He said in addition to the 28 fires, more than 100 other unattended campfires were extinguished by field crews during regular patrols of popular recreational areas within the forest.
“There are no excuses for a campfire becoming a bushfire,” he said.
“It’s simply a matter of making sure that your fire is safe before leaving it unattended.
To comply with the safety regulations, campfires must be:
• Constructed in a pit 30 centimetres deep
• No bigger than a metre square
• No closer than 3 metres from any grass, overhanging vegetation or other fuel
• Attended by an adult at all times.
Campfires are not allowed on a day of Total Fire Ban and visitors are urged to listen to local radio stations for updates.
Mr Farrell said working with Parks Victoria, the CFA and local police, DSE aims to make the district’s picnic, camping and bushwalking areas as safe as possible.
For more information on campfire safety, visit www.dse.vic.gov.au and search on the word “campfire” or call your local DSE or Parks Victoria office.
General fire information is also available from the Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.
