General News
7 March, 2025
Make campfire safety a priority
Victoria’s fire and land management agencies are urging campers and holiday-makers to prioritise campfire safety ahead of the upcoming long weekend.
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,” he 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.”
Campfires are the responsibility of the campers who light them and as such, it’s also the responsibility of campers to check if the area they’re visiting is under a Total Fire Ban.
“It was concerning to see several illegal campfires, including a bonfire, during the recent Total Fire Bans on February 22 and 23,” CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said.
“This kind of activity increases risk for our forests, communities, and our firefighters.”
Before hitting the road, people should download the VicEmergency app and be familiar with local campfire regulations and safety measures to help protect the environment and local communities.
People who breach campfire regulations on public land face a maximum penalty of $19,759 if the matter is prosecuted in court. The maximum penalty for lighting or maintaining a fire during a day of Total Fire Ban is $47,421.60 and/or two years in jail.
Report unattended campfires to 136 186 or call Triple Zero (000) to report a bushfire.