WANGARATTA police are urging the community to be aware of their responsibilities and accountability around fires this summer.

Police have begun Operation Safeguard for the season in a sustained focus to prevent or reduce the impact of intentionally and recklessly lit fires across the state.

Despite a wet end to spring, the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) outlook for the summer has most of the North East expected to see an increased fire risk, due to a lack of significant rainfall throughout the year.

Acting Senior Sergeant Luke Vogels of Wangaratta police said local police have been working closely with the emergency management sector and the community to prepare, plan and prevent fires this summer, but the reality is, preventing bushfires is everyone’s responsibility.

“We see some high levels of complacency within the community through reckless behaviours causing fires,” he said.

“It can include burn offs, campfires, car exhaust and machinery, tools on farms and rural properties like angle grinders out in the open and using farm machinery on high fire danger days.

“They’re often viewed by the community as accidental, In reality the potential for injury, loss of life, property damage and drain on emergency resources is the same as that caused by arson.”

Last bushfire season (year ending June 2024), Victoria Police said there were 45 offences relating to causing a bushfire across the state – 21 of these were due to reckless behaviour.

CFA have urged the community to take extra care this season after vegetation fires jumped more than 50 per cent during the 2023/24 Fire Danger Period (FDP) across the state.

Act Snr Sgt Vogels said recent reports from local fire agencies indicate it will be a dangerous fire season, with an increase of underlying fuel in the ground.

“We’re really hoping to push the message because locals play such an important role for us in the prevention of bushfires when they can be avoided from accidents,” he said.

“Any bushfire that is deliberately or recklessly lit we take very seriously and we will investigate and take any action against those responsible for lighting a fire that causes serious property damage or loss of life.

In collaboration with Crime Stoppers Victoria as part of Operation Safeguard, police have launched a “you light it, you own it” campaign highlighting a person’s responsibility for a fire and encouraging understanding around the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of fire safety.

You can access more information via the link: https://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au/current-focus/bushfires/.

Anyone found guilty of recklessly or intentionally causing a bushfire faces a penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment.

Lighting a fire on a total fire ban day can attract a fine of up to $46,000 or up to two years in jail.

Act Snr Sgt Vogels encouraged the community to report any bushfires or suspicious fire activity to Triple Zero (000) or making a Crime Stoppers report.

Operation Safeguard will run until March 2025.