The Environmental Protection Agency Victoria says a rise in illegal burning in Western Victoria is damaging the environment and putting people’s health at risk with contaminated residue and hazardous smoke.

The environmental watchdog has investigations under way in the Hindmarsh, Horsham and Northern Grampians areas after recent fires on farming, industrial and residential property.

EPA Northwest Regional Manager Paul Ratajczyk says every one of the illegal burns could have been prevented.

“The fires have involved things that never should have been burned, including chemical containers, old tyres, industrial waste, treated timber, wooden pallets and scrap plastic,” Mr Ratajczyk said.

“And whether it is ignorance, carelessness or thinking nobody would notice, it is a nuisance to the community, a hazard to the environment, and an offence that can get you a fine from EPA,” he said.

“Anyone in the agricultural or industrial sectors should know these materials must go for disposal at licensed facilities, and anyone in a residential area should at least be thinking of their neighbours.”

With investigations under way at several sites, EPA is raising the issue with businesses and the community to make sure people understand their legal obligations under the Environment Protection Act 2017.

"Smoke from waste burn-offs can have harmful effects, particularly on people with asthma or other lung conditions, older people, pregnant women, babies and young children,” Mr Ratajczyk said.

Along with specific requirements of the Environment Protection Act, the General Environmental Duty makes it everyone’s legal responsibility to take reasonable actions to protect the environment. 

EPA urges anyone who sees or is being affected by an illegal burnoffs of waste material to report it to EPA’s 24 hour pollution hotline at 1300 372 842 or online at www.epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution