A total fire ban has been declared for the whole of Victoria on Saturday, with forecast hot and windy weather raising the fire danger rating in the Ballarat region to severe.
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State parks and forests across the Grampians region will remain open, but Forest Fire Management Victoria is reminding campers it is illegal to light a campfire on a total fire ban day.
Assistant chief fire officer Grampians region Peter Kambouris said Forest Fire Management Victoria crews extinguished a number of unattended campfires during the Christmas and New Year period.
“Under the right conditions, any one of these campfires could have become a bushfire and threatened lives, property and the environment,” Mr Kambouris said.
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“Historically in the Grampians region, we’ve had far too many bushfires caused by campfire negligence and this is placing the community, firefighters and the environment at risk.”
Escaped campfires cause around 10% of bushfires, according to Forest Fire Management Victoria.
Barbecues in parks can also not be lit on a total fire ban day.
CFA advises people living in areas at risk of fire to activate their bush fire plan.
Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
