A WOORINEN farmer has been caught out, burning off on the first day of the fire danger period.
Mallee firefighters and police were called to attend a fire at a property along Goodman Road about 4pm on Monday.
Beverford captain Geoff Smith told The Guardian the farmer had lit a burn-off, and was reportedly unaware restrictions had come into force that morning.
Captain Smith said police were contacted, with the agencies taking a zero tolerance approach during the fire danger period.
The burn-off was quickly extinguished by volunteers.
“Police were notified,” captain Smith said.
He added it was a timely reminder for locals to be aware of the restrictions now in place.
“It’s been published for the last couple of weeks and I think most of the local landowners are aware of the restrictions and have been told, but it has obviously slipped their mind.”
A permit is now required to burn-off in the Swan Hill Rural City area, with locals required to abide by strict conditions if a permit is granted.
The CFA and Victoria Police have warned there are severe penalties in place, with offenders found to have recklessly lit a fire liable to face up to 15 years in prison and $36,000 in fines.
