Hepburn Shire contractor starts fire on total fire ban day

The incident occurred on Wednesday morning when the contractor, who was tasked with installing a new welcome to Hepburn Shire sign, used an angle grinder to remove the existing sign.  

Five CFA trucks were called to the blaze which burned half-a-hectare along the side of Creswick-Newstead Road.  

Ewen Campbell, whose property backs on to the road, was able to contain the blaze with a private tanker before CFA crews arrived.

A helitak helicopter was also deployed but was not required. 

Campelltown CFA volunteer and former captain Chris Culvenor said the fire was extremely frustrating, particularly given there was no need for the job to be completed on the day. 

“The reality is when all fires start they are the same size and we're very lucky here because this one remained small,” Mr Culvenor said.  “People just need to abide by the regulations and it's frustrating because a fire like this doesn't effect (the contractors).

“If everyone just observed the restrictions we’d have about half of the fires we do now.”  

Use of devices which create an open spark is strictly prohibited on days of total fire ban.  Punishments for starting a fire on a total fire ban day can range up to a $33,801 fine or two years imprisonment. 

The contractor is due to be charged on summons in the coming weeks. 

Hepburn Shire general manager of infrastructure Bruce Lucas said the contractor was not instructed to perform the task on the total fire ban day and council had discussed the fire risk.

“This incident has highlighted some areas for improvement which have also been discussed with the CFA,” Mr Lucas said. 

“Council is provided with safe work method documents from the contractor which in this case did not include this unplanned activity.  We will continue to review our operating procedures and opportunities to improve these arrangement for the safety of staff, contractors and the entire community.”