RESULTS from a recent survey undertaken by Parks Victoria have revealed that just over a quarter of participants know how to correctly extinguish a campfire.
With the state currently experiencing hot and dry weather at the peak of the camping season, park rangers are reiterating that campfires must always be fully extinguished with water.
Soil must feel cool to the touch before a campsite is abandoned.
Presented with two options on how to best extinguish a campfire, 26 per cent of survey respondents indicated water should be poured onto a campfire to extinguish it, while the majority of participants, 74 per cent, indicated it should be put out by smothering it with sand or soil.
Park Rangers have been on the ground reminding campers of fire regulations and reminding campers that in national parks, campfires may only be lit in designated fireplaces.
Parks Victoria said 10 per cent of bushfires were caused by negligence.
Recently, Park Rangers discovered unattended and still-hot campfires in both the Langi Ghiran State Park and also at Mount Franklin Reserve.
Further information is available from the Forest Fire Management website.
