Farmer charged with starting bushfire
Farmer charged with starting bushfire
11 January 2008
published by www.news.com.au
AN ADELAIDE Hills farmer could face 20 years jail for allegedly starting a fire during total fire ban conditions.
The Paris Creek man, 55, was using an angle grinder on his Old Bull Creek Rd farm near Meadows about 3pm yesterday in temperatures around 40 degrees, when sparks ignited a fire.
Seven CFS units and two water bombing aircraft extinguished the blaze, which was contained to the man’s property, burning about three hectares.
He was taken to the Strathalbyn Hospital suffering smoke inhalation.
Five Operation Nomad police patrols attended the fire and later charged the man with causing a bushfire.
“On days of total fire bans, angle grinders,welders and other cutting tools are not permitted to be used outside unless a permit is obtained from your local council,” CFS spokeswoman Heidi Geytenbeek said.
A total fire ban is in place today for the North West pastoral district.
