Hume is one of the state’s top 10 high-risk regions for bushfire arson, according to police.
Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Jack Blayney, in Melton last week to launch this year’s Operation Firesetter, said police responded to 62 cases of intentionally lit fires last fire season – up by 19 on the previous year.
Operation Firesetter is a bushfire arson prevention and detection operation that focuses on high-risk and arson-prone areas. Hume, Yarra Ranges, Shepparton, Cardinia, Moorabool, Geelong, Campaspe, Ballarat, Bendigo and Latrobe have been singled out as ‘high risk’.
Statewide, there were 10 fewer bushfires caused by reckless behaviour last summer than in 2012-13, with 21 cases between November 2013 and April 2014.
“It’s clear people are taking more care when it comes to fire prevention, but we can’t become complacent,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Blayney said.
“Fires can easily ignite from any number of activities, like flicking a cigarette butt, failing to properly extinguish a campfire or using tools such as angle grinders.”
The penalty for recklessly or intentionally causing a bushfire is up to 15 years’ jail.
For arson resulting in death, the maximum penalty is 25 years’ imprisonment and a fine of more than $35,000. Call triple-0 to report suspicious behaviour or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
