YOU LIGHT IT, YOU OWN IT.
Any spark can start a fire.
YOU LIGHT IT, YOU OWN IT.
Any spark can start a fire.
Consider the consequences of your actions and help prevent potential bushfires this summer.
Environmental factors
Weather conditions can increase a bushfire’s size, intensity, speed, and predictability. Conditions to look out for include:
- High temperatures
- Strong winds
- Dry conditions
- Low humidity
- Increased fuel loads (e.g. grass, leaf litter, twigs, bark)
- Lightning storms
Understanding and adapting your behaviour when facing the above increased fire conditions is crucial to staying safe this summer.
For additional information, visit the Bureau of Meteorology.
Adjust your activites
Exercise caution and always think about how your actions could start a fire.
If you are unsure whether you can control a fire this summer, do NOT light one.
Remember: Anything that causes a spark can start a fire, including farm machinery and power tools.
When lighting campfires: check local regulations, use designated areas, follow safety guidelines, obey total fire bans and extinguish properly.
Understand the fire danger ratings, follow official guidelines, and be prepared for any emergency.
For the latest updates, visit the Vic Emergency and CFA websites.
Criminal penalties
Reckless behaviour can include disobeying restrictions relating to Total Fire Ban or fire danger periods, leaving campfires unattended, burning off without a permit, or using unmaintained machinery or hot tools that emit flames or sparks.
If you are not taking appropriate precautions around fire, you will face the consequences and penalties.
Penalties for recklessly causing a bushfire or grass fire include up to 15 years’ imprisonment. The maximum penalty for arson resulting in death is 25 years’ imprisonment.
Your fire is your responsibility
Reckless and accidental fires put lives and homes at risk.
In an emergency, or if you see smoke or flames, call Triple 000.
Fire Safety: Understand THE Do's and Don'ts.
Do:
- Monitor the Fire Danger Rating forecast for your location (here) and regularly review real-time emergency information and warnings (here).
- Consider what you can and can’t do during the declared Fire Danger Period, and on days of Total Fire Ban here).
- Adapt your plans to changing weather conditions and safety advice.
Don't:
- Burn off during prohibited periods or without a permit.
- Using equipment or machinery on days of increased fire risk.
- Neglect regular maintenance of farm equipment that may spark.
- Have an insufficient number of appropriate fire extinguishers available.
- Fail to properly extinguish fires before leaving the site.
- Leave campfires unattended.
- Improperly dispose of barbecue coals or litter cigarette butts.
- Light a fire while intoxicated.
Share what you know with Crime Stoppers 24/7 online.
If you see behaviour that could lead to a bushfire, it’s up to you to keep our community safe and report it.
Details you can include in your report: time, place, age, weight, height, hair colour, clothing, vehicle description.
You are in control of how much information you share, and you can choose to be anonymous.
Link & Resources
Read article here
Environment Risk:
To better understand your level of risk and the different types of fire risk environments go to: Am I at Risk? | CFA
Weather Risk:
To better understand how the weather can influence fire behaviour visit the Bureau of Meteorology website.
Campfire rules from vic.gov.au
Stay informed and comply with fire restrictions, regulations and permit details from Forest Fire Management Victoria.
Ensure you’re fire-ready by checking and applying for any required permits via the Fire Permits Victoria website.
Please Note: The Fire Permits Victoria website is a collaboration of all of Victoria’s fire services – CFA (Country Fire Authority), Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV).
Stay informed and safe during bushfire and grassfire seasons. Explore essential safety tips from Fire Rescue Victoria.
Ensuring that emergency information is accessible to everyone is crucial, especially during bushfire incidents. Visit the Deaf Emergency Information website for resources and guidance tailored for the deaf and hard of hearing community.
For more information on the consequences and prevention of bushfire arson, visit the Victoria Police website.
Crime Stoppers Victoria FAQ page provides answers to common questions about reporting a crime. Check it out Here.
