By BEN CAMERON
THE Cardinia Shire remains one of the highest fire risk areas in the state, according to a south-east police commander, as the threat of arson looms large this summer.
Launching the Firesetter Agency Partnership between Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia police service areas as part of a zero-tolerance approach to bushfire arson, Southern Metropolitan Commander Doug Fryer said the shire was a “concern” with the bushfire season approaching.
“We know that this coming fire season is going to be a long, hot summer and unfortunately in Cardinia, it sits as one of the highest risks for us throughout Victoria,” he said.
“Last year we had about 80 suspicious or reckless fires in Victoria, 62 were deliberately lit.
“So Cardinia for us really is a concern and we need to get it right around how we approach fires in the fire season.
“Even though Cardinia has more rural bushland, the fire threat is strong across Casey and Dandenong too.”
Southern Metro Region Superintendent Paul Hollowood said Casey and Cardinia were at the forefront of deliberately lit fires due to the growing nature of those regions.
“People seem to think suspicious bushfires mostly start in rural areas but it’s not, it’s where urban development meets bushland,” he said.
“The urban fringe. Those areas were people are seeking a tree change, where urban development is encroaching on the bus, that’s where we are seeing the risk increase.”
Victoria Police has reactivated Operation Firesetter this season – a high visibility initiative designed to reduce the likelihood of bushfire arson during high risk periods.
Commander Fryer said that while a multi-agency approach to fire prevention would help increase community safety, the community had an important role to play.
“We can’t do it alone, we need others to be the eyes and ears when it comes to suspicious and odd behaviour,” he said.
“If you see something, say something.
“Suspicious behaviour can be any number of things. Someone who parks their vehicle in an unusual location, someone who tries to go unnoticed or tries to avoid contact, or someone who leaves in a hurry after being noticed,” he said.
“Prompt and detailed reporting of suspicious activities can help prevent bushfires that could lead to loss of property or life.
“People who commit bushfire arson are not always strangers, they often live and work in local communities.”
Residents can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or triple-zero.
