Charges for illegal fire

A Moe man will be charged on summons after he allegedly illegally lit a fire on his Caringal property last week.

Baw Baw CIU detectives said the fire escaped the man’s control overnight on Wednesday night.

On Thursday morning, authorities issued watch and act alerts for residents in the Erica, Rawson, Tanjil Bren and Caringal areas.

Detectives will charge the 65-year-old Moe man with lighting a fire during a restricted period.

Detectives said the man co-owned a 27 hectare parcel of land in the Caringal area, between Beynon and Morgans Mill Rds.

The land is largely used for camping by the group of owners.

Detectives said the man decided to burn some undergrowth along a track between two wood cabins on the property.

However, it appears the fire became aggressive in hot conditions.

Detectives said there was no wind but the fire moved slowly and appeared to get away from the man on two fronts.

VicForest and DELWP staff noticed smoke in the area the following morning and raised the alarm.

Alert warnings were issued for residents in the area as firefighters struggled to contain the fire on Thursday afternoon.