General News
2 November, 2023
Keeping campfires safe over Cup weekend
If you’re turning the upcoming Melbourne Cup Day into a long weekend and heading out for a camping getaway, be sure to take care when lighting campfires as authorised officers will be patrolling for unsafe fires. Forest Fire Management Victori...
If you’re turning the upcoming Melbourne Cup Day into a long weekend and heading out for a camping getaway, be sure to take care when lighting campfires as authorised officers will be patrolling for unsafe fires.
Forest Fire Management Victoria, the Conservation Regulator, and Parks Victoria are urging campers heading to state parks and forests to brush up on their campfire safety before they leave home to help protect communities and the environment.
Public land visitors wanting to use a campfire should prepare before lighting one by:
• learning how to build and maintain a safe campfire
• knowing the specific rules at their campsite
• checking weather conditions and Fire Danger Ratings
• having quick access to at least 10 litres of water.
“Escaped campfires can quickly turn into large bushfires, and with a forecast of warm, dry weather, this bushfire season, we cannot afford any mistakes,” Forest Fire Management Victoria Acting Chief Fire Officer Sam Quigley.
“While Forest Fire Management Victoria and partner agencies are ready to respond to fires this bushfire season, Victorians can help reduce bushfire risk by fully extinguishing their campfires with water — if it’s cool to touch, it’s safe to leave.”
Authorised officers will be patrolling over the long weekend targeting unsafe and unattended campfires, illegal off-road vehicle use, and littering. Anyone caught doing the wrong thing faces fines ranging between $192 and $46,154.
Community members can report any illegal behaviour on public land to 136 186.
Bushfires should be reported to Triple Zero (000).
For more information about rules in state forests, visit www.vic.gov.au/rules-in-state-forests
To brush up on your camping and campfire skills see Parks Victoria’s video series www.parks.vic. gov.au/where-to-stay/camping-for-beginners