Operation Nomad by South Australian police from 1993 makes a big cut in bushfires that are being deliberately lit
The Council of Australian Governments in 2005 described Operation Nomad as one of the best multi-agency approach to preventing and reducing bushfires in Australia.
Image courtesy ABC News
Operation Nomad, an Australian-first crime-prevention strategy started by South Australian Police in 1993, encouraged the public to identify and report deliberate, reckless and negligent acts that cause bushfires.
Part of the program is targeting arsonists that, with increased penalties,has significantly cut deliberately-lit bushfires. Arsonists are watched and revisited by police on high-fire-risk days.
The Council of Australian Governments in 2005 looked at Operation Nomad itself and actually described it as one of the best multi-agency approach to preventing and reducing bushfires in Australia.
South Australian police have continued Operation Nomad summer with high visibility in high-fire-risk area. Besides actively monitoring would-be arsonists, they took a zero tolerance approach to any breach of fire laws throughout this period. Penalties of up to $10,000 and two years’ jail or on-the-spot fines of up to $315 may be enforced if total fire ban conditions weren’t met.
With the assistance of the public, people who start fires were already being caught early in the season. On November 12, 2018 – a severe fire danger day in the Mount Lofty Ranges with a total fire ban issued, a woman at Carey Gully was reported for lighting a rubbish fire and a Crafers man was also reported for lighting a rubbish fire in a separate incident. A Currency Creek man was reported for lighting a camp fire, and a Bridgewater man was reported for using a chain saw.
The public can report suspicious, reckless or negligent behaviour regarding fires, by calling police on 131 444 or any information about someone deliberately lighting fires or engaging in reckless or negligent fire lighting behaviour, can be given anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online. Call 000 for fire services.
