Campers warned to be fire aware this summer

Warmer weather, some free holiday time. An ideal time to enjoy the great outdoors on a camping trip.
But be careful, especially with campfires, is the message from government authorities to prevent bushfires.

Conservation, parks and fire management authorities said campers need to make sure that they are campfire safe.
One misconception is that the remains of campfires can be extinguished by covering them with soil, they say.
However, if fires haven't been properly put out with enough water, they can smoulder under soil for days and reignite in the right conditions.
In 2023/24, they said 726 unattended campfires and barbecues were discovered on public land, including 40 still alight during a Total Fire Ban day.
Campers should dig a trench for a fire at least 30 centimetres deep if a purpose-built fireplace is not available. A fire must not be more than one square metre and the area around a fire must be cleared of flammable material for at least three metres.
An adult should remain within a 50-metre line of sight and campfires should never be left unattended. At least 10 litres of water should be used to extinguish fires when leaving a site, even for a short time.
Chief fire officer of Forest Fire Management Chris Heffernan said it only takes one stray ember to cause a destructive fire.