Escaped burns a problem
Rural Fire Superintendent says penalties will apply
A recent spate of escaped permit burns is impacting the Rural Fire Service’s ability to respond to emergency calls, according to Mid Murray Zone Superintendent Lindsay Lashbrook.
Volunteer firefighters have been called to more than a dozen on-property fires that have escaped control lines in the Mid Murray Zone.
Authorities believe the number is even greater than this as they believe a number of escaped fires have gone unreported.
‘‘Since February, we’ve had to respond to a significant increase in fires that have escaped the control of the landowner, and essentially it is tying up our resources and contributing to an unnecessary workload,’’ Supt Lashbrook said.
‘‘When a fire gets away, our volunteers are being forced to leave work or their family to respond to calls — it has had an impact on our personal lives.
‘‘Not only that, it’s adding challenges as we’re here to respond to emergencies — when people burn and it escapes, it impacts our ability to respond to other calls,’’ he said.
Although landowners may be adhering to the correct procedures and standards for their burns, Supt Lashbrook said recent weather conditions have re- sulted in seemingly futile efforts.
‘‘We understand burning has always been used as a tool for farmers and landowners and it always will be, but when people light up during periods of high fire danger rating it can have serious consequences.’’
By law, landowners are liable for escaped permit burns, and Supt Lashbrook said the RFS would now turn to other avenues to attempt to minimise the occurrences.
‘‘In 2017/18 we’re going to make an effort through the media and other outlets to create an educational program on permit burns and the landowner’s responsibilities.
‘‘Previously we haven’t issued any penalties, but it has reached the point where they will now be applied, and it’s a substantial fine,’’ he said.
The permit burn period is from October 1 to March 31.