Fire danger education is key

New signs at Green Hill Lake near Ararat will provide clear information about fire ratings after two campfires at the lake escaped, including one on a total-fire-ban day.

Country Fire Authority Region 16 donated the two fire-rating signs to Ararat Rural City Council.

Council chief executive Tim Harrison said one of the fires was significant and burnt a large area of an adjoining paddock.

He said the other, lit on a day of total fire ban, was ‘totally’ unacceptable.

Dr Harrison said after the incidents the council needed to educate the many interstate and international visitors who used the campground about fire-danger ratings.

“The majority of people know their responsibilities on a day of total fire ban but we can’t assume everyone does, so the signs will help all visitors to Green Hill Lake,” he said.

“We are very grateful to the local CFA district for donating the signs and we’ll continue working with them to educate our community and visitors on fire danger messages.”

The signs feature an arrow that points to the day’s fire rating danger and a ‘total fire ban’ placard that is flipped over as needed.

Council community safety officers change the signs each day as part of their routine patrols.

The council installed the signs in mid January, one at the entrance of the camping area and the second mid-way through the grounds.

Dr Harrison said police and the CFA had a zero-tolerance approach to people who breached total-fire-ban laws, and there was a strong statewide push to make people more accountable.

“Green Hill Lake can accommodate hundreds of campers on a busy weekend – if there is a fire, there is real potential for disaster, so these signs are very important,” he said.