The summer seasonal outlook shows an above-average fire season in parts of the state this year, and reckless, or deliberately lit bush and grass fires have potentially disastrous consequences.
CFA chief officer, Jason Heffernan said the fires were avoidable and put firefighters and the community at risk.
“We urge everyone to be mindful of their actions and act sensibly to protect yourself and your loved ones,” Jason said.
In November, CFA responded to a grass and scrub fire that was caused by someone welding.
A spark from the welding process caught some nearby dry grass, and a fire began to spread.
The welder was unable to contain the fire on their own, and four CFA units responded.
Early last year, crews responded to a fire where a cigarette butt was allegedly discarded incorrectly and lit some trees on fire, also impacting a house.
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 hot tools or machinery that emits flames or sparks on total fire ban days.
It is a criminal offence under Victorian law to cause a bushfire recklessly, or to be reckless as to the spread of a fire to vegetation or property belonging to another.
“It only takes one bad day to have a bad fire season, so we need to stay vigilant,” Jason said.
“We know we have a challenging season ahead and we want to ensure our firefighters are not being called out for things that could have been avoided.”
Fire restrictions are now in effect across most of Victoria and NSW.
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