Community Safety

Bushfire Arson

Bushfire arson has a devastating impact on the community. It has the potential to injure or kill people, cause significant financial loss, and destroy property as well as the environment.

What is bushfire arson?
A bushfire caused by a person intentionally or recklessly.

Arson is a serious crime
The maximum penalty for arson causing death in Victoria is 25 years imprisonment. The maximum penalty for intentionally or recklessly causing a bushfire is 15 years imprisonment.

Operation Firesetter
Victoria Police, as part of Operation Firesetter, will be conducting highly visible patrols to prevent and apprehend arsonists. Investigations into suspicious fire activity and bushfire arson persons of interest will also be undertaken. Operation Firesetter is a state-wide coordinated initiative that will intensify during periods of high fire danger. 

If you see something

Victoria Police and Crime Stoppers urge the community to report suspicious behaviour by calling Triple Zero (000).

If you know something

People who commit bushfire arson are not always strangers, they often live and work in local communities. If you have concerns about a member of your family, a friend or colleague, they might need help.

Say something

If you do know something, say something. You can provide information to Crime Stoppers confidentially on 1800 333 000.

Alternatively you can file an online 'Information Report'. Visit the Crime Stoppers section on Report Crime Information  to find out what happens when you call the Crime Stoppers hotline and how to make an online report.

How You Can Help - Before the Fire

Can you identify a person, or vehicle, you observed near the area where a bushfire occurred, or do you know of someone who has been lighting fires?

If you believe a person, or vehicle, is behaving in a suspicious manner write down the details. If you record the details straight away the more accurate they are likely to be, and the more helpful the information will be to Police.

If you are suspicious of a person or a vehicle, write down the following details:

For vehicles:

• registration
• make
• model
• colour
• any damage to vehicle

For individuals:

• age
• height
• hair colour
• build
• facial hair
• clothing

How You Can Help - After the Fire

If a fire affects your neighbourhood, try to:

• Note the description of any people who have entered or left the scene before the fire started.
• Note the description of any vehicles entering or leaving the scene before the fire started
• Note any activity in the area prior to the fire starting, such as camping, firewood collecting, bushwalkers etc.
• Remember the time and location where you first observed the fire.

Pass this information onto Police, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.