Not bright sparks

By Casey Neill
EMERALD and Cockatoo residents are flouting burn-off restrictions, prompting police and the CFA to warn against the dangerous and illegal fires.
The CFA declared Fire Danger Period began in Cardinia and Yarra Ranges shires on 23 January, and requires permits for all open air burns.
But Cardinia Shire fire brigades have responded to more than 60 callouts to residents burning off without permission in the past few weeks.
Cockatoo Fire Brigade captain Julian Ketskemety said that despite recent wet weather, the fire threat to the area was the greatest in a decade.
“It only takes two weeks of hot, dry and windy weather to create dangerous fire conditions,” he said.
Capt Ketskemety said favourable growing conditions last year meant an above-average grassfire risk this fire season.
“Grassfires should not be underestimated – they travel faster than you can run, can destroy property and even kill,” he said.
Emerald Acting Sergeant John Roberts said the station had received a sharp increase in calls regarding illegal burn-offs.
He said most involved small piles of foliage that residents had tidied up, and branches from recent storms.
“But unauthorised burns are not to be done,” he said.
Mount Evelyn Police Sergeant Craig Keithley said the issue was keeping police throughout the region busy.
“It’s happening much more than we’ve noticed previously,” he said.
“Those caught thus far have indicated they did”t know about the restrictions.
“Due to the topography of the shire, police adopt a no-tolerance approach to people offending against the CFA Act, and there are already quite a number of prosecutions pending.” Sgt Keithley said his staff responded to three illegal burn-offs in one morning on Saturday 11 February.
“We usually have two or three a summer,” he said.
“We’ve certainly got a problem with it. It could start a catastrophe. It might not, but it could.”
Sgt Keithley said many residents had become complacent because of cool and wet summer weather, while others were trying to do the right thing by clearing debris from their property – but there would be no leniency.
“We don’t have a choice,” he said.
“We’re instructed. We have to prosecute them,” he said.
Fires in the open air are restricted when the Fire Danger Period is in place. A written permit is required to burn off grass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation.
Lighting a fire in the open without a permit carries a fine of more than $6000 and/or 12 months imprisonment.
There are also restrictions on using barbecues and fires for cooking and warmth, and guidelines for using incinerators, chainsaws, lawn mowers, welding or grinding equipment, and vehicles.
The Fire Danger Period will end on will end on 30 April unless closed earlier or extended. Visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au for more information.