MORE than a quarter (27 percent) of bushfires are caused by escaped private fires, equating to more than 6,100 bushfires over the past 10 bushfire seasons that should never have happened, new CFA data shows.
With COVID-19 restrictions easing and many people travelling this month, the CFA is urging Victorians to take care with open fires such as campfires and private burn-offs.
CFA data shows that of bushfires caused by escaped private fires that CFA brigades responded to between November 1 and March 31 over the past 10 years:
13 percent were caused by previous fires re-kindling after not being properly extinguished.
6 percent were caused by inadequately controlled fires.
4 percent were caused by high wind.
3 percent escaped after being left unattended.
CFA Acting Chief Officer, Garry Cook, said it was a timely warning to Victorians to take the utmost care when undertaking burn-offs or enjoying campfires and other recreational fires.
“We are expecting to see significant movement across the state as Victorians travel to catch up with loved ones, visit holiday properties, go camping and enjoy the great outdoors,” Acting Chief Officer Cook said.
Victorians were reminded to never leave a fire unattended, even for a short while, as campfires can spread quickly without supervision.
Campers should extinguish their fire using water, not soil, as fires can still smoulder under soil for several days and reignite under the right conditions. If a fire is cool to touch, it is safe to leave.
Burn-offs as part of property preparations are also a significant risk when not done safely.
