VICTORIAN POLICE have boosted the number of fire investigation detectives in Western Victoria from two to eight.
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Senior Sergeant Brendan Broadbent said the change had been made to improve the capability of detectives around investigations in the region and support the work of the Country Fire Authority.
"Our aim is around gathering as much information around the fire behaviours and the fires that are lit in our area to gain better understanding and turn that into intelligence so it can better inform us moving forward," he said.
"So that's where we're asking the community and working with the CFA and the volunteer brigades around reporting all fires so that we can at least go there and determine perhaps what the drivers are behind the causes of these fires."
Senior Sergeant Broadbent said a number of fires had already been lit by landowners clearing their property that could have been conducive to fire if the weather conditions had been different.
"It can be quite embarrassing for the landowner but it can also be devastating if it does get into neighbours' properties and destroy their house or cattle and stock," he said.
"If there is any recklessness or ignorance around the way the fire has been prepared and the strategies to mitigate risk, if they haven't been followed, then particularly during the fire danger period we will be laying charges under the CFA Act or if it's in a forest area, under the Parks (Victoria) Act as well."
Senior Sergeant Broadbent said increasing public education about fire safety and changing community culture were important and have become a renewed priority for the area's police division.
"The (zero tolerance) strategy was implemented last year and on the basis of that there was a 105 per cent increase in reporting of fires, particularly through the brigades," he said.
Senior Sergeant Broadbent said the maximum penalties on a total fire ban day were a $24,000 fine or a two-year imprisonment.
"Depending on the severity of the fire itself it may include a fine and imprisonment, he said.
Asked whether some of the fines issued last fire season, including amounts of $350 and $550, were "a slap on the wrist" for offenders Senior Sergeant Broadbent said the penalty was often about the message.
"In some cases it's about how those people are then viewed in the community," he said. "On the first occasion it's certainly enough of a deterrent. The second time if the person continues with reckless fire behaviour then certainly those punishments would become more severe and increment along the way."
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CFA District 17 Operations Manager Craig Brittain agreed with Senior Sergeant Broadbent that the strategy was "successful", with eight prosecutions made during the Fire Danger Period as well as others outside that time.
Mr Brittain said the "zero tolerance" approach meant there was "no room for error, complacency or negligence".
"Even if people use a permit, set fire, or do stubble burning outside the prescriptions of their permit or someone uses a welder or a grinder outside of the conditions of their permit, there is absolutely no tolerance," he said. "They will be charged."
Mr Brittain advised people to check the conditions of their permit to mitigate risk and avoid prosecution.
He also recommended that anyone doing a controlled burn ensure the fire is carefully monitored in the days following and ask a neighbour to check in if they are away from their property.
"While we look around and we see it's green everywhere and green crops everywhere we can't be blasé because the actual ground itself is quite dry."
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