Latest news with #ForestFireManagementVictoria
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Warning for Aussie families going camping ahead of the King's birthday long weekend
Even though it's getting cold, some risks are heightened. Found out how to stay safe and avoid fines of up to $47,000. It's important to know the rules around campfires, as mistakes can be devastating for the environment and very costly for the camper. Source: Getty A warning has been issued for those planning to get away this long weekend. For many Aussies, public holidays go hand-in-hand with a trip away, but those heading outdoors to spend a couple of nights under the stars are being urged to stay alert. Now that it is officially winter, it may feel like the fire risk has passed – but authorities in one state are reminding campers that many parks and forests remain dry, meaning bush fire risk is still very real and present. In parts of western, southwestern and southeastern Victoria, a warmer and drier-than-average autumn has led to a higher fire risk than usual. Forest Fire Management Victoria Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman said campfires can quickly become devastating bushfires. Authorities warn that even though the temperatures have dropped, the fire risk is actually heightened. Source: Forest Fire Management Victoria 'Even at this time of year, just one unattended or poorly managed campfire can cause serious damage to the environment and put lives and property at risk,' Mr Hardman said. ADVERTISEMENT 'This season, we've responded to more than 370 incidents involving campfires. This included the Boroka Lookout Fire, where an illegal campfire turned into a bushfire in difficult terrain, on the edge of the cliff diverting resources responding to bushfires in the Grampians National Park. 'With a little extra care around your campfire this long weekend, we can keep forests and parks healthy and safe for everyone to enjoy.' He added an important tip, reminding campers to never leave a campfire unattended and always use water to extinguish it. If it's cool to touch, it's safe to Fire Management Victoria Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman Rangers will be patrolling the state's parks and forests on the lookout for any illegal campfires and rule flouters this long weekend. So what are the rules? You can light a campfire anywhere in a state forest if it is safe to do so No fires allowed on Total Fire Ban Days If it is hot and windy, reconsider if you really need to light a fire Fireplaces need to be either purpose-built by the land manager or in a hole in the ground at least 30cm deep Clear at least 3 metres around the fire of anything that could burn, like leaves, tents, clothing etc. Keep your fire and all logs under 1 metre across Never leave a fire unattended Fully extinguish a fire before going to bed or leaving the campsite – even for a short period of time Only use water to put out a campfire. Ashes can stay hot underneath dirt and soil, and can reignite days later ADVERTISEMENT Anyone found breaking the rules in Victorian public land face a maximum penalty of $19,759 if the matter goes to court. Lighting a fire on a Total Fire Ban day can land you a seriously big $47,421.60 fine and two years in jail. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Voice of America
28-01-2025
- Climate
- Voice of America
Fast-moving fires torch national parks in southeast Australia
Firefighters were desperately trying to stop a cluster of fast-moving blazes in southeast Australia on Tuesday, as thousands of acres of national park burned and a farming community was forced to evacuate. Lightning strikes on Monday evening ignited several fires in the Grampians National Park, a forested mountain range about 300 kilometers west of Victoria's state capital Melbourne. A separate fast-moving fire in Little Desert National Park in the west of the state has torn through almost 65,000 hectares in less than 24 hours, emergency services said, scorching an area almost as large as Singapore. That fire had forced the evacuation of rural Dimboola before threat levels were downgraded on Tuesday afternoon. "I'm incredibly thankful that no lives have been lost and we have no reports of injury either," emergency management commissioner Rick Nugent told reporters. Chris Hardman from Forest Fire Management Victoria warned that weather conditions over the next few days are increasing the possibility the fires will spread. "Right now firefighters are planning to do everything in their powers to protect communities," he said. Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Kevin Parkyn said stifling heatwave conditions would settle over parts of Victoria on Saturday, escalating fire risks. "When we look at the next seven to 10 days, the main message is that there will be a hot dome over Victoria. "Once we get into the weekend don't be surprised if we see heatwave conditions unfold across the state, and continue to intensify into next week. "The landscape is dry, and if we continue to see these hot conditions, it will continue to dry the landscape out further." Hotter temperatures are fueling increasingly severe natural disasters across Australia, researchers have found. Scientists have documented a marked increase in extreme fire weather across the country since the 1950s. The unprecedented "Black Summer" bushfires of 2019-2020, for example, killed 33 people and millions of animals, razed vast tracts of forest and blanketed major cities in thick smoke.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fast-moving fires torch national parks in southeast Australia
Firefighters were desperately trying to stop a cluster of fast-moving blazes in southeast Australia on Tuesday, as thousands of acres of national park burned and a farming community was forced to evacuate. Lightning strikes on Monday evening ignited several fires in the Grampians National Park, a forested mountain range about 300 kilometres (186 miles) west of Victoria's state capital Melbourne. A separate fast-moving fire in Little Desert National Park in the west of the state has torn through almost 65,000 hectares (160,000 acres) in less than 24 hours, emergency services said, scorching an area almost as large as Singapore. That fire had forced the evacuation of rural Dimboola before threat levels were downgraded on Tuesday afternoon. "I'm incredibly thankful that no lives have been lost and we have no reports of injury either," emergency management commissioner Rick Nugent told reporters. Chris Hardman from Forest Fire Management Victoria warned that weather conditions over the next few days are increasing the possibility the fires will spread. "Right now firefighters are planning to do everything in their powers to protect communities," he said. Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Kevin Parkyn said stifling heatwave conditions would settle over parts of Victoria on Saturday, escalating fire risks. "When we look at the next seven to 10 days the main message is that there will be a hot dome over Victoria. "Once we get into the weekend don't be surprised if we see heatwave conditions unfold across the state, and continue to intensify into next week. "The landscape is dry, and if we continue to see these hot conditions, it will continue to dry the landscape out further." Hotter temperatures are fuelling increasingly severe natural disasters across Australia, researchers have found. Scientists have documented a marked increase in extreme fire weather across the country since the 1950s. The unprecedented "Black Summer" bushfires of 2019-2020 killed 33 people and millions of animals, razed vast tracts of forest and blanketed major cities in thick smoke. sft/lb
Khaleej Times
28-01-2025
- Climate
- Khaleej Times
Fast-moving fires torch national parks in southeast Australia
Firefighters were desperately trying to stop a cluster of fast-moving blazes in southeast Australia on Tuesday, as thousands of acres of national park burned and a farming community was forced to evacuate. Lightning strikes on Monday evening ignited several fires in the Grampians National Park, a forested mountain range about 300 kilometres (186 miles) west of Victoria's state capital Melbourne. A separate fast-moving fire in Little Desert National Park in the west of the state has torn through almost 65,000 hectares (160,000 acres) in less than 24 hours, emergency services said, scorching an area almost as large as Singapore. That fire had forced the evacuation of rural Dimboola before threat levels were downgraded on Tuesday afternoon. "I'm incredibly thankful that no lives have been lost and we have no reports of injury either," emergency management commissioner Rick Nugent told reporters. Chris Hardman from Forest Fire Management Victoria warned that weather conditions over the next few days are increasing the possibility the fires will spread. "Right now firefighters are planning to do everything in their powers to protect communities," he said. Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Kevin Parkyn said stifling heatwave conditions would settle over parts of Victoria on Saturday, escalating fire risks. "When we look at the next seven to 10 days the main message is that there will be a hot dome over Victoria. "Once we get into the weekend don't be surprised if we see heatwave conditions unfold across the state, and continue to intensify into next week. "The landscape is dry, and if we continue to see these hot conditions, it will continue to dry the landscape out further." Hotter temperatures are fuelling increasingly severe natural disasters across Australia, researchers have found. Scientists have documented a marked increase in extreme fire weather across the country since the 1950s. The unprecedented "Black Summer" bushfires of 2019-2020 killed 33 people and millions of animals, razed vast tracts of forest and blanketed major cities in thick smoke.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fast-moving fires torch national parks in southeast Australia
Firefighters were desperately trying to stop a cluster of fast-moving blazes in southeast Australia on Tuesday, as thousands of acres of national park burned and a farming community was forced to evacuate. Lightning strikes on Monday evening ignited several fires in the Grampians National Park, a forested mountain range about 300 kilometres (186 miles) west of Victoria's state capital Melbourne. A separate fast-moving fire in Little Desert National Park in the west of the state has torn through almost 65,000 hectares (160,000 acres) in less than 24 hours, emergency services said, scorching an area almost as large as Singapore. That fire had forced the evacuation of rural Dimboola before threat levels were downgraded on Tuesday afternoon. "I'm incredibly thankful that no lives have been lost and we have no reports of injury either," emergency management commissioner Rick Nugent told reporters. Chris Hardman from Forest Fire Management Victoria warned that weather conditions over the next few days are increasing the possibility the fires will spread. "Right now firefighters are planning to do everything in their powers to protect communities," he said. Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Kevin Parkyn said stifling heatwave conditions would settle over parts of Victoria on Saturday, escalating fire risks. "When we look at the next seven to 10 days the main message is that there will be a hot dome over Victoria. "Once we get into the weekend don't be surprised if we see heatwave conditions unfold across the state, and continue to intensify into next week. "The landscape is dry, and if we continue to see these hot conditions, it will continue to dry the landscape out further." Hotter temperatures are fuelling increasingly severe natural disasters across Australia, researchers have found. Scientists have documented a marked increase in extreme fire weather across the country since the 1950s. The unprecedented "Black Summer" bushfires of 2019-2020 killed 33 people and millions of animals, razed vast tracts of forest and blanketed major cities in thick smoke. sft/lb
