CFA reveals data on illegal fires

DATA just released by CFA and the Crime Statistics Agency has revealed a huge number of Victorian fire-related offences over the past five years at times when the risk of fire was at its highest.

Between 2019 and 2024, there were 1,010 recorded instances of lighting a fire during the Fire Danger Period (FDP) and 187 cases of lighting a fire on a Total Fire Ban (TFB) day.

The FDP is a designated time in each Victorian municipality when fire restrictions apply due to increased fire risk. A TFB is declared on days of extreme conditions, and prohibits any fires in the open air.

Under the CFA Act, penalties for allowing an open-air fire to escape during a declared FDP can include fines of up to $23,710, 12 months’ imprisonment, or both.

The penalties double if the escape occurs on a TFB.

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said the statistics were worrying.

“Lighting a fire during the Fire Danger Period and on days of Total Fire Ban puts lives, homes, and emergency responders at risk.

“If you ignore fire restrictions, you could be facing serious legal repercussions and more importantly, you could be responsible for devastating losses.

“Victoria is already one of the most fire-prone regions in the world, so we certainly don’t need unnecessary challenges created by carelessness or deliberate acts.”

The CFA has used a recent incident in Diamond Creek to illustrate the serious consequences of ignoring FDP restrictions.

Firefighters were called to a property at about 6.28pm on January 20, and crews arrived to find smoke issuing from a pile of green tree branches approximately 1m high.

Victoria Police attended the scene and are now pursuing charges against the resident for lighting a fire during Nillumbik Shire’s FDP.

All Victorian municipalities are now in the FDP.

For more information on what you can and can’t do during the FDP, head to cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/fire-bans-ratings-and-restrictions/can-i-or-cant-i

If you see illegal or suspicious fire activity, report it immediately by phoning Triple Zero (000) or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.