AS PEOPLE throw snags on the barbie and flock to campsites for Australia Day the CFA and Crime Stoppers are warning people that reckless fires cost lives.
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Mosquito Creek CFA’s Andrew Gallagher said that on a big weekend Lake Eppalock could have anywhere between 4000 and 5000 people.
“Come and enjoy the lake but be aware of what’s going on around you and be aware of your neighbours and the local community,” he said.
Temperatures were predicted to soar this weekend and Mr Gallagher said people needed to play it safe around campfires and barbecues.
This year the Mosquito Creek CFA had already attended a number of campfire incidents, Mr Gallagher said.
“In any season we might nave five to 12 fires that are left unattended or lit in inappropriate places or circumstances,” he said.
“When we have a lot of people camped around here there’s a lot of bush around. If a fire goes out of the grass, which it would do really quickly, it would get into the bush. We could have a couple of thousand people in danger.”
CFA community education coordinator Paul Tangey said anyone travelling this weekend needed to stay safe, making sure they knew the areas they were moving through and into.
“I can’t tell you yet whether there will be a total fire ban day on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. The temperatures are still to be (declared) extreme weather conditions. We need to wait for that declaration to be made,” he said.
Starting a bushfire recklessly, through actions such as leaving a campfire unattended or disobeying total fire ban restrictions, could result in penalties of up to fifteen years imprisonment or fines of up to $36,000.
People who knew of reckless or deliberate behaviour that could lead to a bushfire were urged to make a report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
For information on fire precautions and restrictions, visit the CFA website, call the Vic Emergency Hotline or download the Vic Emergency App. To find out if a Total Fire Ban has been declared for your region, visit the CFA website.