Australia Weather News

Police have confirmed that a campfire caused the bushfire in Cape Otway and have launched a criminal investigation.

"This is an example of reckless conduct which could have had catastrophic consequences," Detective Inspector Karl Curran said.

"We are now investigating the fire, and if we do identify who started the campfire, they will be charged."

Forest Fire Management, Colac Crime Unit and the Arson and Explosives Squad have determined the blaze in bushland in the early hours of Wednesday on Blanket Bay Road and Red Hill Track started because of a campfire that was not extinguished and then left unattended.

The fire was under control by 9am that day with about 14 hectares burnt. Local police evacuated multiple campsites, affecting about 150 people.

Police are appealing for witnesses in the area around Blanket Bay campground on January 8 or who have video footage to contact Crime Stoppers.

Arson and Explosive Squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray said the incident should serve as a strong reminder to the community.

"If you are going to be lighting a fire … consider that if it gets away from you, you could be held criminally responsible," he said.

Firefighters consider greater bans

A spate of illegally lit campfires discovered during total fire bans in Victoria have prompted firefighters to question whether permanent bans in peak periods are required.

It comes as firefighters remain at the scene of a fire at Blanket Bay in Cape Otway.

Port Campbell CFA captain Katy Millard said while that fire did not start during a total ban, her team had discovered numerous fires in the days prior when total fire ban conditions were observed.

She said it was disappointing that some visitors were not abiding by fire ban conditions, potentially putting lives at risk.

"There were lots of campfires being lit by visitors to the area who don't understand the potential for fires that we've had," Ms Millard said.

Ms Millard said tighter restrictions may be needed beyond days when total fire bans were in place.

Incident Controller Ellen Harper, who is overseeing the Cape Otway burn, said campfires that were not properly extinguished could flare up several days later.

"We're urging people camping in the Otways to be mindful of the weather and wind and consider whether you need a campfire," she said.

In Victoria, the maximum penalty for lighting a fire during a total fire ban is $46,154 and/or two years in jail.

Calls for campfire bans

James Bourchier owns a property on the Murray River in Northern Victoria, in Koonoomoo.

The CFA volunteer said he was no stranger to the tragedy that could be caused by out-of-control campfires.

He distinctly remembered a 1990 bushfire, initially started by campers, that roared back to life days after first being extinguished.

"We lost one thousand head of stock, of sheep, we lost our wool shed, our house, numerous machine sheds, and all our hay," Mr Bourchier said.

He said new restrictions on campfires in certain national parks were implemented after that incident.

He said Victoria should now consider implementing similar bans on campfires in all parks throughout the summer season, but admitted it was a tough ask.

"People seem to think the minute that they go camping, they can have a fire, regardless of whether you need one or not," he said.

"I've been burned out, I know what it's like, I have skin in the game, I'm edgy about fire."

In South Australia, campfires have been banned in parks during the entire fire ban season, which typically runs from late spring to early autumn, for more than 50 years.

"In addition, parks are closed on days with a catastrophic fire danger rating," a National Parks and Wildlife Service SA spokesperson said.

Landcare support

Mr Bouchier has found support in Marie Lynette Jones, a property owner in the Mount Alexander Shire and a passionate member of a local landcare group.

Ms Jones believed no fires should be allowed in the open across Victoria during hot weather days and has also called for more restrictions.

"Why on earth anyone would want to light a fire on one of those [hot] days is totally beyond me," Ms Jones said.

"This is not going to go away, this is going to be how we live, into the future … the fire situation is just so rampant."

Ms Jones said a blanket rule during summer would be an effective measure to control the risk of campfires becoming deadly.

"It comes back to common sense but not many of us follow this practice," she said.

"If it was a blanket rule that everyone has to follow, its a lot easier to regulate."

Victoria's acting chief conservation regulator, Callie Donaldson, would not be drawn on the idea of a statewide ban but said it took only one ember to cause a destructive fire.

"Campfires are a cause of bushfires that are 100 per cent preventable," she said.

"We need campers to make sure they know the rules and are up to date on weather conditions before they light any fire."