Be safe plea on our busy forests

AS record numbers of people visit state forests across the Otways this summer, Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) is urging people planning a trip this weekend to prepare.

With thousands expected to make the most of the Australia Day public holiday on January 26 with a trip in the outdoors, people are encouraged to have a back-up plan in case their destination is so crowded they cannot follow COVIDsafe advice.

The Parks Victoria website and the More To Explore app can be used to identify back-up recreation sites in the region.

From Saturday to Tuesday, FFMVic patrols will visit recreation sites, reminding visitors to practice physical distancing everywhere in the outdoors from campgrounds and walking tracks to riverbanks and mountain bike trails.

Under the current health guidelines for outdoors, people should keep 1.5 metres apart and carry a fitted face mask at all times.

Patrols will collect and forward information about any serious breaches of COVID-19 health guidelines to Victoria Police.

If visitation is unmanageable and sites are not being presented as COVIDsafe, patrol staff have the power to put in place localised closures.

Since regional COVID-19 restrictions eased last year, there has been a significant increase in visitors to campgrounds in the region’s forests, compared to 12 months ago.

Campers are also urged to remember to read safety signage about local hazards, and observe conditions before entering any water. They are also urged to know campfire safety rules and extinguish all campfires before leaving.

Check the VicEmergency app for up-to-date advice and coronavirus.vic.gov.au for the latest health information.