Police said a fire started through reckless behaviour could have the same outcomes as a deliberately lit fire, including significant loss of life, serious injury and property damage.
Last bushfire season, there were 59 offences relating to causing a bushfire, with 23 of these due to reckless behaviour.
Police are warning they will investigate and take action to catch those responsible when a fire is deemed suspicious, whether it was a deliberate or reckless action.
Anyone found guilty of recklessly or intentionally causing a bushfire faces a penalty of up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
The most common causes of recklessly lit fires are disobeying restrictions relating to total fire bans or fire danger periods, burning off, leaving campfires unattended, car exhausts and machinery, use of tools such as angle grinders and welding equipment out in the open, bonfires and flares, and farming machinery such as slashers and harvesters.
During the fire season Victoria Police implements Operation Safeguard, so that police are ready to respond to the threat of fire.
Operation Safeguard aims to prevent or reduce the impact of intentional and recklessly lit fires across Victoria, and involves preparedness arrangements and deployment plans for periods of heightened risk during the fire season.
Police said the community also played an important role in the prevention of bushfires and remained key in reporting reckless or suspicious behaviour.
Police are keen to speak to anyone who witnesses concerning behaviour in relation to fires, or anyone who has been told about this behaviour taking place.
This information could prove crucial in preventing a bushfire.
Arson and Explosives Squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray said community members needed to take personal responsibility for any activities they undertook that could lead to an out-of-control bushfire.
“While leaving a campfire unattended or operating machinery on a total fire ban day may not seem like a big deal, police and our emergency services partners can speak first-hand to the devastating consequences that can occur when these actions go wrong,” he said.
“It may seem like this behaviour is accidental, but it is negligent and criminal.
“This should serve as an important reminder to the community that if you light it, you own it.
Anyone who witnesses suspicious or reckless behaviour as it is occurring should call 000 and anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au
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