Give the mower a rest during fire ban

A FIRE in the Upper Derwent Valley yesterday was started by a person mowing their lawn, a Tasmania Fire Service spokesman said this morning.

During a Total Fire Ban it is an offence to light any fire outdoors. It is also an offence to use any machinery or equipment that may cause a spark or flame in the open air; or have heated parts such as engines and exhausts that may be in contact with dry vegetation; or are used for the harvesting, mowing, cutting and slashing of dry materials such as poppies, grass and cereal crops.