Thread: Campfires - We need to get better

People just don't understand. It has been reported that the high winds in our area, carried embers from the Stradbroke Island fire and started spot fires on the Sunshine coast. I can only assume that report is correct. Bob

Some years ago I was with the wife and father in law , and we met up with some friends in the Vic. high country . There was a long thunder storm lasting many hours , one night . Followed by a big bush fire , now this was some way in the distance , but of course we could see the smoke . Now when I got back to Melbourne I read in the Herald Sun that It had been coursed by campers leaving a camp fire . I phoned the Paper and asked to speak to the gerno who the article , I was told they weren't in . Any way I said I had just come from that area , and the lightning storm was not mentioned a that could have also been the course , and did anyone think to contact the RAAF. base in sale to see what the weather conditions were over that weekend . I was told my message would be passed on .

I recently just come back from QLD and went for a day trip to Sundown National Park while I was there. I was with another guy who had an 80 series Landcruiser who was showing me a couple of challenging tracks. We got to a point where we had to cross a river and decided to stop for lunch.

There was a younger bloke and his missus who were packing up there campsite and getting ready to leave. We could see them from the other side of the river while we were eating and the kids were playing in the water. The temp was about 33 degrees so it was quite hot in there. Anyway the bloke had packed up and left in his chopped down Td42 GQ tray back .

We could see that he had not put his fire out and it was going pretty good. Could not believe that they had left it going. We went back across to put it out only to find it had a large log in it and 2 butane cans in there as well I didn't want to get to close to it with the butane cans in it but we managed to put it out. Anyway the other guy who I was 4wdriving with, his missus remembered the number plate of it as we went by

When she got back his details were given to the rangers and apparently he was going to be getting a visit from the police . I just couldn't believe someone would be dumb enough to leave a fire like that going. Especially when it was so hot and dry in there. It made me think, maybe he had another motive behind it. Why would someone leave a fire going with butane cans in it and then drive off????

Here is another side to peoples stupidity.
I was locked out of Mt Kaputar the other day because of a fire ban. I was hoping to go high for a few days for some heat wave relief, but parks don't trust people to do the right thing.
I can't see why anyone requires a fire in summer really. Small boutique one for cooking perhaps, but certainly not to sit around. People don't leave their car running when the walk off, so why leave a fire.

I think people really need to have a good look at themselves otherwise the outdoors will be closed for business. Burning glass, cans, old camping chairs or whatever crap people think burns only gives land holders all the fodder required to close things.

Just last Saturday, the 5th, I called into Little O'Tooles for lunch as a pair of 4X4's who had obviously just packed up camp drove out.
We had to back up the entrance track to let them out so we could get into the site, no biggie, but when we pulled in it was a pigsty.
Empty cans and bottles in the fire they had left going, half a pack of sausages thrown in and burning away,bread, onions just crap everywhere.
It's not even 12 months since the place was burnt out by the Aberfeldy fire, how hard to you have to be on people before they learn their lesson?
No, I didn't get their Regos either unfortunately.

Can honestly say I have never come across a campfire left burning.

Have certainly seen plenty used as a rubbish tip with the resultant broken glass and half burnt cans etc etc which really p+++++ me off.

Have also seen people with fires when there is a total fire ban. On an extremely hot, windy day on Double Island I complained to the Ranger about it only to be told it wasn't his job! Not sure who the bigger dills were...those with the fires or the ranger.

Just got back from beach camping on Fraser where fires are banned in those camp areas. As much as I love a fire when camping, I must admit the camp sites were much cleaner for NOT having every occupant start their fire in a new postion.

Sad ins't it. I don't think it's about getting hard on users. Too hard to police and affects the majority too much. We have enough of that policing already.
It's about getting them to respect what they have, why they went there, and mum is not there to pick up after them anymore.

Fires and how to use them are usually taught to kids by adults. Maybe adults should make a BIG fuss over extinguishing the fire. I know I don't,, but maybe I will start.

I'll write another letter to 4x4action also. If they are as big as they say they are, then most of their readership will probably find an article on burning down the tracks helpful.

Originally Posted by newhue

I can't see why anyone requires a fire in summer really. Small boutique one for cooking perhaps, but certainly not to sit around. People don't leave their car running when the walk off, so why leave a fire.

yeah avoid sitting around a fire in summer........started one on my last trip to build enough coals for three camp ovens, chairs and tables were set up 20 meters away. I was guilty of leaving it burn though.....went of to help out around the farm

Originally Posted by nugge t

Just got back from beach camping on Fraser where fires are banned in those camp areas. As much as I love a fire when camping, I must admit the camp sites were much cleaner for NOT having every occupant start their fire in a new postion.

agree, camping at double island point camping means there is coals spread though the entire areas.....you cannot walk without stepping on an old piece of coal