Campers in central Victoria are being advised to take care with their camp fires this Easter.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Forest Fire Management Victoria acting Loddon Mallee assistant chief fire officer Paul Bates said anyone lighting fires had a responsibility to them.
"Whether you're camping, walking, riding or driving, we all have a responsibility when it comes to making sure people take care in our parks and forests," Mr Bates said.
"Never leave a campfire unattended, you must maintain a 50-metre line of sight of the campfire at all times and ensure your campfire is completely extinguished using water.
"Illegal campfires, the dumping of rubbish, damage to forest roads and vandalism is unacceptable, so we ask everyone to do the right thing to ensure the safety of themselves and other forest users."
An on-the-spot fine of up to $484 can be issued to people who don't comply with campfire rules.
A maximum penalty of up to $16,119 can be imposed if the matter is prosecuted in court.
FFM Victoria will also be conducting planned burns in the Loddon Mallee Region over Easter.
Turner Avenue in Macedon (4.5km south of Woodend) will see a 61.6 hectares fuel-reduction burn completed between April 19 and 22.
At Ridge Road, DEnver (5.5km south of Glenlyon), a fuel reduction burn of 286.7 hectares will be completed.
"Planned burns greatly reduce the impact of bushfires by minimising fuel loads, and it is critical we take every opportunity to conduct them when it is safe to do so," Mr Bates said.
For more details on planned burns and fire restrictions visit www.ffm.vic.gov.au