Have the graphic images of homes lost and bushfires raging through Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales not been enough?

Thankfully, the quick action of the Country Fire Authority averted a potential crisis near Elmore early yesterday after a campfire sparked a blaze that burned only a few acres beside the Campaspe River.

Police are investigating if the campfire was lit before midnight which would take in Tuesday’s total fire ban.

Should that be the case, hefty fines await those responsible if they get caught.

Fire crews also attended two suspicious fires in 30 minutes at a Bendigo playground in Prouses Road on Tuesday.

Witnesses said they saw a young person in black clothes on a bicycle around the playground at the time.

CFA senior station officer Darren Eenjes confirmed the fires were deliberately lit, possibly with a cigarette.

Coincidentally, cigarettes and irresponsibility were the source of anger in a letter to the Bendigo Advertiser from a Harcourt CFA volunteer yesterday.

Volunteer Leigh-anne Rogers wrote the letter because she was sick of collecting cigarette butts beside the Midland Highway.

Harcourt CFA attended two fires in the Midland Highway/Calder Freeway area on Saturday which Leigh-anne suspects were ignited by cigarette butts thrown from a car.

It’s easy to see how a person who puts her own life on the line to protect the safety and assets of others would become so angry at such poor behaviour.

It’s a simple but stupid act with the potential to bring disaster to rural areas