FARMERS are being reminded it is illegal to use gas powered scare gun’s on total fire ban days.
Lake Boga Fire Brigade attended two farms in the Tresco area on Sunday night, with farmers using the guns on a total fire ban day in the Mallee.
Lake Boga Fire Brigade captain James White said farmers must obtain a permit to use a scare gun during the fire danger period, and gas powered guns must not be used on a total fire ban day.
Swan Hill police Acting Sergeant Ian Fulton said police attended both incidents.
The first was at a property on Bael Bael Road in Tresco around 7.20pm.
“Police spoke to a 58-year-old female,” Act-Sgt Fulton said.
“She admitted to using a scare gun and a police member is going to make further inquiries in relation to total fire ban offences.”
The second was at a property on Tresco West Road in Tresco West, about half an hour later.
“It was set up on a timer and they weren’t home at time,” Act-Sgt Fulton said.
“Police attended, obtained a phone number for the home owner and the scare gun was deactivated.”
Act-Sgt Fulton said neither of the guns sparked a fire.
“It’s a criminal offence to use those gas guns or start a fire on a total fire ban (day),” Act-Sgt Fulton said.
“It’s illegal to use a gas gun due to the high likelihood of a fire occurring in these dry conditions.”
Capt White said the fire brigade were attending to the first job, when they heard the second one go off.
“We went to investigate and found that another farmer was using one on a total fire ban, which is a no-no,” capt White said.
“Police were called and they attended.”
Capt White reminded farmers not to use the gas powered scare guns on a total fire ban day.
“It’s just a reminder to everyone of what they can and can’t do on total fire ban days to ensure everyone is doing their bit to keep the community safe as a whole,” he said.
