General News
12 November, 2024
Fire Danger Period underway locally with harsh penalties for deliberately lit fires
Potential jail time and significant penalties could be imposed on residents responsible for blazes lit deliberately or accidentally, with the Fire Danger Period (FDP) now in force across the shire.
Partnering together, local police and CFA members are taking a strict no tolerance approach to people doing the wrong thing this fire season.
As restrictions in the Central Goldfields Shire kicked off on November 11, the two agencies, alongside Crime Stoppers, issued an important warning for all — you light it, you own it.
According to Central Goldfields Crime Investigation Unit Acting Detective Sergeant Steve Atkinson, locals must exercise caution to prevent a reckless incident.
“Awareness is paramount as we come into the FDP,” he said.
“If someone has accidently lit a fire, they’re also responsible for it — there is accountability around their actions especially on total fire ban days and during the fire season in general.
“We just want our communities to be safe and we understand that people have jobs to do but they must be careful at all times.”
Act Det Sgt Atkinson said devastating bushfires can be caused by simple tasks such as using farm machinery or power tools on a hot and windy day.
“If someone is using a welder or a grinder and that starts a fire, if it’s deemed reckless and causes property damage then the person responsible is accountable for their actions,” he said.
“Don’t be careless about fire at all — we can already see that it’s drying out and rainfall may be lower than usual, the season will likely come with a higher [risk] so it’s even more important to be aware of your actions.
“It is also vital to be on the lookout for suspicious activity to stop deliberately lit fires.”
Ten years ago, during the 2014-2015 FDP, police were able to act quickly and safeguard the region against the threat of a potential blaze because of the public’s assistance.
“Help from the community resulted in the arrest of offenders who were lighting roadside fires,” Act Det Sgt Atkinson said.
“At the time, we [received] reports of small fires being lit and while they’re sometimes written off as ones caused by vehicles or [cigarettes], we worked out that they were being lit on purpose.
“Our investigation and the arrests that followed were aided by the information the community gave us — that just shows how important it is for the public to report suspicious activity to us.”
Crime Statistics Agency data shows in the year ending June 2024, there were 45 offences recorded in Victoria for causing a bushfire.
While there has been a 55 percent increase year on year in the state, locally the number of fire incidents thought to be suspicious or reckless were down according to CFA’s Goldfields Group Officer Peter Higgins.
“We were a lot lower than normal,” he said.
“There was a lot of messaging around fire prevention and that definitely helped.
“We want to see that again this year but if you see something out of the ordinary call it in.”
With police, CFA and Crime Stoppers working together, Mr Higgins said the three-pronged approach would ensure the community’s well-being.
“As we’re working with the Maryborough Police now, most fires that start in the FDP will be under investigation,” he said.
“There will be zero tolerance and there’s also the possibility of getting charged by police for burning off [illegally].”
Lighting fires in the open without a permit during the FDP can bring a penalty of more than $21,800 and/or 12 months imprisonment.
If you’re responsible for a fire that gets out of control, you will be investigated, with penalties ranging up to 15 years jail.
The maximum penalty for arson causing death in Victoria is 25 years imprisonment.
People are urged to share what they know about suspicious and reckless fire activity with Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
In an emergency, or if you see smoke or flames, please contact 000.
Those conducting burn-offs must notify authorities online at the Fire Permits Victoria website (www.firepermits.vic.gov.au), or by calling ESTA on 1800 668 511.
By registering your burn-off online, you allow emergency call takers to allocate more of their time taking calls from people who need emergency assistance immediately.
No burning off is permitted during the FDP without a Permit to Burn, which can be applied for through the Fire Permits Victoria website.
There are very strict conditions attached to these permits and the liability sits with the permit holder to ensure they always act safely.
More information about FDPs is available online at www.cfa.vic. gov.au/firedangerperiod
To find out what you can and can’t do during FDP, visit www.cfa. vic.gov.au/can or by calling Vic Emergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.