{"id":5052,"date":"2018-01-04T08:04:59","date_gmt":"2018-01-04T08:04:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bellarinetimes\/?p=5052"},"modified":"2018-01-04T08:04:59","modified_gmt":"2018-01-04T08:04:59","slug":"dont-let-campfire-become-bushfire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bellarinetimes\/news\/dont-let-campfire-become-bushfire\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t let your campfire become a bushfire"},"content":{"rendered":"

FOREST Fire Management Victoria has launched a campaign to remind campers in the Otway region to follow the rules when it comes to campfire safety.<\/p>\n

Assistant chief fire officer Andrew Morrow said the agency wanted to dramatically reduce the number of fires caused by neglected campfires, so their message to campers was \u201cdon\u2019t let your campfire become a bushfire this summer\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want people to get out there and enjoy themselves but make campfire safety a priority for your trip by knowing what you can and can\u2019t do.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the Otway region, we have responded to 28 fires caused by campfire negligence in the past two years. This is placing the community and firefighters at risk, as well as potentially damaging the environment and affecting industry and recreational users of our public land.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt takes a lot of time, effort and personnel to respond to a fire, so when campfires escape and could have been prevented by following the rules, it\u2019s very frustrating.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore you head out, make sure you plan ahead and check the long range weather forecast. If in doubt on a hot day, don’t light your campfire.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are asking people to be vigilant about campfire safety and if they see a campfire that doesn\u2019t look right or is unattended, then to call Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.<\/p>\n

He said it was everyone\u2019s responsibility to ensure they follow the campfire safety rules:<\/p>\n