Stop Bushfire Arson

This week the local campaign to ‘Stop Bushfire Arson’ kicked off with a joint initiative by Charters Towers Regional Council, Charters Towers based Queensland Police Service (QPS), Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) and Rural Fire Services.

The campaign’s message asks for the community’s help to stop bushfire arson – “if you see something, know something, then say something…”

“Local emergency services are working together to prevent these offences, but we need the community to remain vigilant. I urge members of the public to report suspicious behaviour through Crime Stoppers or Police Link.” said Senior Sergeant Dean Cavanagh, Officer in Charge, Charters Towers Police Station.

The collaboration between emergency services recently resulted in a 23-year-old man from Charters Towers being charged with an offence of ‘light unauthorised fire’ under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990. He is due to appear in the Charters Towers Magistrates Court on 2 October 2018.

“We are continuing to jointly investigate some other local suspicious fires.” said Senior Sergeant Cavanagh. “This behaviour is illegal despite what justification offenders think they may have, and holds some major ramifications including loss of life.”

Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group, Cr Liz Schmidt said bushfires are a major threat to our region.

“Our Emergency Services workers and volunteers are risking their lives and this risk is escalated when someone deliberately lights a bushfire. It may destroy property, cause serious injury, or even kill someone.

“The devastation which can occur affects whole communities, and what we’ve seen in other communities, recovery is never quick or easy.”

Local Fire Warden Brett Holmes said suspicious fires are a strain on the town’s emergency response resources.

“Whilst combatting these ‘suspicious fires,’ – if there is another significant event in our district, the closest QFES resources are based in Townsville, that’s at least 2 hours before help arrives!”

Council and emergency services are encouraging the community to report any information related to bushfire arson by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

OGG 26 September 2018