BENDIGO’S CFA crews do not want people setting off illegal fireworks this New Year’s Eve as grass cures in hot conditions.
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Last festive season fire crews and police responded to a paddock grass-fire triggered by fireworks in Huntly, while three men across Victoria were injured in separate New Year’s Eve incidents.
Victoria is already facing a tough fire season without people making things harder by breaking the law, CFA chief operations officer Steve Warrington said.
“Across Victoria we’ve received lower than average rainfalls and despite some great rain these past few weeks that have reduced of the fire risk, we cannot afford to be complacent,” he said.
Today’s temperatures are expected to reach 34 degrees and winds are set to pick up this afternoon, CFA district two operations officer Hugh Kelly said.
“We only want the fireworks supported by the City of Greater Bendigo and others with the correct permits,” Mr Kelly said.
It is illegal for anyone other than licensed pyrotechnicians to be in possession of, or use, fireworks in Victoria.
WorkSafe Acting Executive Director of Health and Safety Michael Coffey said fireworks could cause serious injuries and deaths in untrained hands.
“That is why they are banned for use by the general public,” he said.
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