With the summer season just around the corner and the risk of Camp fires burning out of control, a work group was set up to implement some precautionary measures. With the aim to look at changes t the current legislation, the group is trying to work out the best ways to cope with the problem. One of these would be to apply for a written permit. But why? Cllr. Philip Miller (PM) explains.

PM: It’s supposedly needed because legislation can’t actually be enforced with an oral approval over the telephone. It has to be in writing and signed by the director of Agriculture.

LH: So, they can’t just ring you up and ask if it is all right to burn a patch of ground. Do you send a form or something?

PM: The exact workings of it haven’t been worked out yet. That’s at the Attorney General’s department now. What we are hoping for is something that will be fairly simple and practical . It has to be more formal than a verbal response over the phone. That’s for legal purposes, basically.

LH: What will actually happen if people do start a fire on their land and it does burn out of control? There was a couple last year that went a bit out of control. What will actually happen to the person? Will they be prosecuted?

PM: The existing ordinance describes the penalties and so on for fires that have been lit without following procedures and so on. I imagine that those parts of the legislation will be looked at as well. And there may be some permanent penalties put in place. I know the fine at the moment is £50.00, which is out of date.

LH: Especially if it goes on to somebody else’s land. Could a claim for compensation be put in by the farmer whose property was burnt by accident?

PM: That is the biggest worry. We had a classic one last year was the fire that burnt out from Wineglass Station and burnt a fair piece of Fitzroy ground and some fencing. We would like to try and get some cover on that issue.

J: One more thing, you know, legislation is one means of getting compliance. It’s the least palatable means of doing something like this. What we are trying to achieve is people becoming more informed, or letting people know about the fires they are planning to light and then secondly just ensuring that common sense prevails whenever fires are lit.

(100X Transcription Service)