SOUTH-WEST police will adopt a zero-tolerance approach to bushfire arson this summer following an increase in deliberately-lit fires statewide during the past couple of years.
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Last summer, police responded to 62 cases of intentionally-lit bushfires across the state — 19 more than the previous fire season.
In the Koroit district an arsonist is believed has been operating for the past three years and lit more than 20 fires which have damaged land, property and endangered life.
Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Jack Blayney said Operation Firesetter would be reactivated during the warmer months to reduce the occurrence and impact of suspicious bushfire arson activity.
“Operation Firesetter is a dedicated bushfire arson prevention and detection operation focusing on high-risk and arson prone areas,” he said.
“We’ll be monitoring persons of interest and any person responsible for starting an uncontrolled open air fire, no matter how small or large, will face the maximum penalty. People who commit bushfire arson are not always strangers, they often live and work in local communities.”
Acting Deputy Commissioner Blayney said rigorous investigations would be undertaken wherever and whenever bushfire arson was suspected to prevent and reduce future disasters.
Despite the increase in arson, police were pleased to see a drop in bushfires caused through recklessness last season.
There were 21 recorded cases of recklessly-lit bushfires between November 2013 and April 2014, down from 31 in 2012-13.
“It’s clear that people are taking more care when it comes to fire prevention but we cannot become complacent,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Blayney said.
“Fires can easily ignite from any number of activities such as flicking a cigarette butt, failing to properly extinguish a campfire, or using tools such as angle grinders.
“Like arson, a recklessly caused fire is a serious crime that has the very real potential to damage property, or injure and kill people and wildlife.
“Think about what you’re doing and don’t take unnecessary risks,” he said.
The maximum penalty for intentionally or recklessly causing a bushfire is 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine of more than $35,000.
“The maximum penalty for arson causing death in Victoria is 25 years’ imprisonment,” the police boss said.
“Bushfire prevention is everyone’s responsibility.
“If you see something, say something and report suspicious and reckless behaviour by calling triple-0.”
