Fire campaign warns Victorians ‘if you light a fire, you own it’

CRIME Stoppers Victoria is partnering with Victoria Police to remind people to consider the consequences of their actions in a bid to prevent potential bushfires this summer.

The new ‘You Light It, You Own It’ campaign reminds Victorians to exercise caution to avoid starting reckless or accidental fires.

This campaign follows the recent launch of Operation Safeguard – the annual police operation which aims to deter or reduce the impact of fires across Victoria.

Bushfires cause devastation in Victorian communities, claiming the lives, displacing families and impacting livelihoods.

Advice from the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council (AFAC) states Australians are being urged to prepare for a bushfire season similar to the 2019/20 Black Summer.

This follows a forecast of above average temperatures and below average rainfall for large parts of Australia.

Devastating bushfires have already started in Western Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania, with Victoria’s Gippsland region and Otway ranges considered to be at an increased fire risk following dry conditions.

“We want Victorians to stop and think before their actions cause a fire this summer,” Crime Stoppers Victoria chief executive Stella Smith said.

“Bushfires can start from 
actions as simple as lighting a campfire or using farm machinery and power tools on a hot and windy day.

“No one wants to be responsible for risking lives from an out-of-control fire, so we want to encourage people to make the right decisions.”

Crime Statistics Agency data shows in the year ending June 2023, there were 29 offences recorded in Victoria for causing a bushfire.

Ms Smith said the ‘You Light It, You Own It’ campaign was a reminder to stop and think about the consequences of starting a catastrophic fire.

“The forecast is for a hot summer and we want the community’s help to stop bushfire before they start,” she said.

Victoria Police Detective Inspector Chris Murray APM of the Arsons and Explosives Squad said preventing bushfires is everyone’s responsibility.

“For areas at risk of fire, expect to see highly visible police presence, particularly during fire danger periods. Expect to be spoken to by police and understand this, if you light a fire, you own it,” he said.

“Accidental and recklessly lit fires are just as devastating as those fires deliberately lit. The consequences and outcomes to the community are the same.

“If you’re responsible for a fire that gets out of control, you will be investigated, with penalties ranging up to 15 years in jail. The maximum penalty for arson causing death in Victoria is 25 years imprisonment.

“You don’t want you actions to be the cause of a bushfire. Ask yourself this, if the fire gets away from me, can I control it? If the answer is no, don’t light it.”

Victorians are urged to share what they know about suspicious and reckless fire activity with Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestoppers.com.au.

In an emergency, or if you see smoke or flames, contact 000.

For information on fire danger ratings and total fire bans, visit cfa.gov.au.