ZERO tolerance: that's the message from emergency services and government bodies who are set to take a tough stance on anyone responsible for lighting an illegal fire.
Police, the Country Fire Authority (CFA), the Department of Sustainability and municipalities across the Loddon Mallee region have banded together in a bid to implement a zero tolerance policy when it comes to lighting fires in contravention of current legislation.
Swan Hill police service area Inspector Jamie Templeton said police would be investigating any fire deemed illegal.
"The police will attend and investigate any alleged offence under the Country Fire Authority Act 1958," Inspector Templeton said.
"The decision to prosecute will be taken by the police and police will prosecute in all cases, unless there is a reasonable excuse for failing to comply."
Inspector Templeton said there was a cost to the community each time the CFA responded to a fire.
"This cost comes in the form of disruption to volunteers, their businesses and family life, disruption and lost productivity for employers of volunteers, vehicle wear and tear, and unnecessary administration related to the responses," Inspector Templeton said.
He said this tough new stance would ensure residents did not remain complacent when it came to fire restrictions.
"Not knowing what you should or should not do is not a reasonable excuse," Inspector Templeton said.
"It is your responsibility to find out.
"Community costs from illegal fires can be significant especially if fires get out of control and endanger people or property."
Inspector Templeton said it was hoped the new campaign would reduce incidents of illegal fires.
General fire restrictions are currently in place for Swan Hill, Gannawarra and Buloke local government areas.
Inspector Templeton said various penalties applied for
lighting fires and failing to comply with the restrictions.
"For example, you could face fines of up to $12,000 and two years imprisonment for lighting a fire on a day of total fire ban," he said.
Inspector Templeton urged to public to educate themselves when it came to fire restrictions, noting there was information readily available from the CFA website.
"Your local police station and the CFA have brochures entitled 'Can I or Can't I' which will tell you what you can and can't do in relation to fires, gas and electric barbecues, camp fire restrictions etc," Inspector Templeton said.
"Remember, 'I didn't know' is not a reasonable excuse."
Meanwhile, Swan Hill CFA captain Dennis Turner said it had been a reasonably quiet summer for firefighters, with some recent exceptions.
"There's been some very small cases recently, of people thinking that when the weather starts cooling down they can start burning off, but fire restrictions are still in place until March," Mr Turner said.
"The Mallee has been in drought for 10 years then had a particularly wet summer so there is a lot of fuel loading.
"The weekend before last it was estimated the forward spend of fire was 10 to 20 kilometres per hour, so that could get from Swan Hill to Lake Boga pretty quickly."
The captain called for extra caution after two recent small fires.
The first was sparked by an outdoor gas cooker which was left unattended, while the second resulted from an overhead projector which was left in the boot of a car.
"Left in the right position, the light hit it just right -- strange things happen," Mr Turner said.
* The public can obtain information on what they can and cant do during a total fire ban day and during fire restriction periods by calling the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on 1800 240 667 or visiting www.cfa.vic.gov.au
* Fire restrictions are in force until March 1. Residents should contact their local council for advice on these restrictions.
The public will be notified via the media on days of specific fire risk such as severe, extreme or Code Red days.
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