Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) is appealing to the public to help track down the culprits behind the illegal burning of more than 150 truck tyres on a Numurkah property on Saturday, 2 May 2015.
EPA North East Manager Clare Kiely said EPA investigations to date indicated the tyres were deliberately lit.
“It is extremely disappointing to uncover an act that showed such blatant disregard to the environment and indeed broader public safety,” Ms Kiely said.
“EPA is now calling on the public to help us catch whoever it was who threw the match.
“Not only has someone committed this act against our environment, but they also had another pile of about 150 tyres ready to add to the flames. Thankfully the CFA was alerted to the fire before further environmental damage occurred.”
Ms Kiely said once ignited, tyres were very difficult to extinguish and could cause significant environmental damage.
“The remains are huge quantities of steel radials and rims, which are likely to be coated in harmful residue that we do not want entering local creeks and rivers,” Ms Kiely said.
“The smoke generated from tyres is also very toxic and no doubt impacts on the air quality of the surrounding area.”
Ms Kiely said the clean-up and containment of remnants from the fire was EPA’s top priority at present, but prosecution was the end goal.
Ms Kiely urged anyone with any information about the fire to report it to EPA’s Pollution Hotline on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC) or to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000.