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Belgrave
Mail Covering the Dandenongs in the Yarra Ranges & Cardinia Shires
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Walk for Change
Tuesday, 16 January, 2018
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Hard waste prize
A Mail News Group publication
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Zero tolerance on fires By Derek Schlennstedt
The Fire Patrol Unit and Mt Evelyn CFA were called to a burn-off on Sunday 7 January despite the fire danger period having already commenced. tial arsonists." Lead Snr Const Hamilton said. One of the four burn-offs that the Unit attended last week involved a Mt Evelyn man who was burning-off on Sunday 7 January. Though many of the fires are a result of naivety Snr Const Hamilton reminded residents that they will face court if they choose to burnoff during the fire danger period. "We monitor the CFA radio and we will turn up at any fire at any given time ... the fire danger period has been set so if you are caught lighting fires, you will get a summons to go to court."
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"Your report will help to protect your local community from fire and could potentially save lives." Penalties for causing a bushfire include up to 15 years imprisonment or fines of over $36,000. The maximum penalty for arson resulting in death is 25 years imprisonment." The Yarra Ranges fire danger period has been in place since Monday 18 December, 2017 which means no open air burning is permitted. The period is scheduled to end on Tuesday 1 May 2017 at 1:00am. Reports of suspicious activity can be made to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to Police on triple O.
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Crime Stoppers have also launched a campaign that reminds individuals to remain wary and report any suspicious activity. "A fire lit during a Total Fire Ban has potentially disastrous consequences, threatening homes, pets, stock, families, and loved ones," Crime Stoppers Victoria General Manager Cathy Rhodes said. "People that choose to ignore them are putting our communities at risk, so we urge anyone with information about illegal or reckless fire activity to please report it to Crime Stoppers." 1238678-CG32-16
Following a day of total fire ban on Saturday 6 January, Yarra Ranges Police have made it clear that they will not tolerate any illegal burn-offs over the fire danger period. In a post on Yarra Ranges Eyewatch, Yarra Ranges Police said that they will take a 'zero tolerance approach' to residents burning off during the prohibited fire danger period and confirmed that four people had recently been charged on summons after being caught burning-off during prohibited times. The post stated that a 64-year-old Narre Warren East man, a 58-year-old Sassafras man and a 26-year-old Mt Evelyn man were interviewed in relation to illegal burn-offs. A 27-year-old Millgrove man had also been interviewed about another illegal fire. "Please be aware that burning off is prohibited throughout the Shire of Yarra Ranges and police have a zero-tolerance approach to those who flout the ban," the post read. Sergeant Bridgette De Chirico at Yarra Ranges Police said that any illegal burn-offs would be taken very seriously and that people caught burning off could face severe consequences. "We are having a problem with people burning-off during The Declared Fire Danger Period," Sgt De Chirico said. "People need to be aware that if they are burning outside of the conditions allowed under the CFA act, in the fire danger period or on a day of total fire ban they may be prosecuted in relation to offences regarding that." "If that fire escapes they may be liable for very heavy offences." During the fire danger period Police also have on duty a Fire Patrol Unit which patrols areas of high-risk and is able to respond quickly to illegal burn-offs. The unit also monitors and liaises with local CFA stations and Leading Senior Constable Peter Hamilton at Mt Evelyn Police said they would continue to monitor and patrol areas for potential arsonists. "The Fire Patrol Unit is a proactive initiative in the Yarra Ranges Shire where two units get around in a marked four-wheel-drive through bush tracks and walking tracks making it aware that the police are out there looking for poten-