Just 26 per cent of people correctly identified that water should be poured onto a campfire, with the other 74 per cent thought that a fire should be extinguished by covering it with soil or sand.

Campfires must always be fully extinguished with water, not soil, and must be cool to touch before being safe to leave.

“These survey findings are worrying, particularly given the number of people camping in Victoria during summer,” Parks Victoria fire and emergency services director David Nugent said.

“Once you light a campfire, you’re legally responsible for ensuring that it is safe, does not escape, and is completely extinguished before you leave.”

The survey conducted last month,also revealed half of respondents didn’t know where and when a campfire could be lit in a national park.

Campfires may only be lit where designated fireplaces are provided in national parks and are prohibited on total fire ban days.

Related: Friday declared a statewide total fire ban day

Park Rangers have shown their presence in the Grampians throughout the summer, reminding people of fire regulations.

“Approximately 10 per cent of Victoria’s fires are caused by campfires. In the Grampians Midlands district so far this summer, firefighters have responded to 23 unattended campfires,” Forest Fire Management Victoria Grampians assistant chief fire officer Tony English said.

“There are on-the-spot fines up to $476 for people who do not comply with campfire rules, and a person can face a maximum penalty of up to $15,872 if the matter is prosecuted in court.”

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