Don’t let your campfire ruin everyone’s long weekend

The Conservation Regulator, Parks Victoria, and Forest Fire Management Victoria will conduct patrols in Victoria’s parks and forests throughout the weekend to ensure campers are doing the right thing.

A total of 257 unattended campfires and BBQs have been detected by the Conservation Regulator, Parks Victoria and Forest Fire Operations field staff on public land so far this financial year.

Over the last few weeks where Total Fire Bans have been declared, fire authorities and land managers continue to detect illegal campfires across the state during extreme weather conditions. Heavy penalties apply for anyone lighting a campfire on a Total Fire Ban day.

Many people try to put out campfires incorrectly with soil, or not enough water to extinguish them completely. Fires that haven’t been properly extinguished can smoulder under soil for days and reignite in the right conditions — if it is cool to the touch, it is safe to leave.

Campfire safety

To ensure campfires are safe:

• Before you light a fire always check fire restrictions, including whether a Total Fire Ban is in place. Download the VicEmergency app.
• Plan ahead and consider alternatives for cooking such as a portable butane cooktop.
• Use a purpose-built fireplace if available, otherwise, dig a trench at least 30cm deep. Always follow the designated rules of your campsite. In national parks, fires can only be lit in purpose-built fireplaces unless marked otherwise.
• The campfire must not exceed one square metre, and three metres above and around your fire must be clear of flammable material.
• Branches and logs on your campfire must be no longer than one metre.
• Never leave a campfire unattended – an adult must always stay within a 50-metre line of sight.
• Campfires must be extinguished with at least 10 litres of water every time you leave the site.
• All rubbish must be taken home with you, not burned.

People who breach campfire regulations on public land face a maximum penalty of $19,759 if the matter is prosecuted in court. The maximum penalty for lighting or maintaining a fire during a Total Fire Ban day is $47,421.60 and/or 2 years in jail.

Report unattended campfires to DEECA at 136 186 or call 000 to report a bushfire.

For more on campfire rules visit our campfires, stoves and BBQs webpage.

Quotes attributable to Chris Hardman, Chief Fire Officer, Forest Fire Management Victoria:

'Even if a Total Fire Ban has not been declared, we encourage campers to consider the need for a campfire on hot or windy days. If you are building a campfire, make sure you know how to build a safe one, don’t leave it unattended while it is alight and that you put it out with water. If the ashes are cool to touch – it's safe to leave. It only takes one stray ember to cause a destructive fire.'

Quotes attributable to Kate Gavens, Chief Conservation Regulator:

'Our authorised officers will be visiting campsites throughout Victoria’s parks and forests making sure everyone is following the rules so we can all have a safe and enjoyable long weekend.'

Quotes attributable to Chris Mercier, Manager, Enforcement Capability, Parks Victoria:

'We want people to get out and enjoy Victoria’s great outdoors, but unsafe campfires can have devastating consequences. It only takes one camper ignoring the rules to endanger the community and our environment.'