The small number of fires during this fire danger season so far should have our Country Fire Authorities sighing with relief.
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Instead, they are responding to a string of incidents where reckless campers continue to light campfires outside the designated areas and leave them unattended or without being properly extinguished.
Fire authorities have been called out to four incidents since the new year, three of those at the Grampians.
Each time fire officials warned they were very fortunate, if it had been for a single gust of wind or rise in temperature, they would have resulted in major fires.
If you are lighting a campfire, follow the fire guidelines and ensure you are not threatening lives or properties around you.
Light your fire in a properly constructed fireplace or in a trench at least 30-centimetre deep and be less than one square metre in any direction.
Branches and logs on your campfire must be less than one metre long and the ground and airspace must be within a distance of three metres with the outer perimeter.
Ensure the upper most point of the fire is clear of flammable material.
Never leave a campfire or barbecue unattended, even for a short time, and maintain a line of sight of less than 50 metres.
For all campfires authorities warn to use only wood that has been provided or fallen dead wood without cutting down trees or damaging vegetation.
Make sure the fire is completely extinguished with water before you leave, even if you are only gone for a short time.
If it is cool to touch, it is safe to leave.
Irresponsible behaviour around campfires puts a strain on resources every time fire units are called out to these incidents.
It takes away extra personnel from a serious event which could be unraveling at the same time in a different location.
Police and Parks Victoria must also be notified and exercise disciplinary action every time an illegal campfire is lit or left unattended.
Campers, you do not just have a responsibility to the residents, wildlife and nature around you, but also have a duty to save our firefighters from the pressure of reacting to incidents which can be easily avoided.
With the worst part of summer still to come stop and think before you light that next match, because once a fire starts and spirals out of control, there would be no time to think, perhaps even no time to flee.