General News
31 October, 2025
Don’t let a careless campfire ruin your long weekend
AS Victorians venture into our forests and parks this Melbourne Cup weekend, the Conservation Regulator Victoria, CFA, Parks Victoria, and Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) are urging campers to learn about campfire safety before they go.
Even though the nights remain cool at this time of the year, days can be warm and often windy. Just one unattended or poorly managed campfire can cause serious environmental damage and put lives and property at risk.
It’s important that Victorians take a moment to check the weather forecast – especially the projected wind speeds – before heading out.
People need to make sure that their campfire is put out correctly by extinguishing it completely with water, not soil. Fires that haven’t been properly extinguished can smoulder under soil for days and reignite in the warm and windy conditions.
Before you light a fire always check fire restrictions, including whether a Total Fire Ban is in place. Download the VicEmergency app or go to www.emv.vic.gov.au.
People who breach campfire regulations on public land face a maximum penalty of $19,759 if the matter is prosecuted in court. The maximum penalty for lighting or maintaining a fire during a day of Total Fire Ban is $47,421.60 and/or 2 years in jail.
Report unattended campfires to DEECA at 136 186 or call 000 to report a bushfire.
For more on campfire rules go to: https://www.vic.gov.au/campfires-stoves-and-bbqs
