It might as well have been sending smoke signals; a pit full of burning industrial waste at Monegeetta has attracted police, CFA firefighters, and EPA Victoria who issued an order to clean it up and a $1,976 fine.
The fire brigade responded to a call from members of the public, and found the pit full of burning vehicle batteries, mattresses, car parts, fuel tanks, metal crates and other scrap.
EPA issued the fine to a Monegeetta woman for the unlawful deposit of the waste, which should have been taken to a properly licensed place for disposal.
EPA Northwest Regional Manager Paul Ratajczyk says some of the waste could have been recycled, the rest should have gone to landfill.
"Dumping material like this in a roughly constructed pit pollutes the soil and very likely the nearest waterway, which presents a risk to human health and the environment," Mr Ratajczyk said.
"And burning it adds toxic smoke increasing the risk to members of the public and the firefighters responding to protect the community," he said.
"Everyone must make sure their waste goes to a place that can lawfully accept it. Dumping like this can be reported by anyone, and EPA doesn't hesitate to take action."
The order to clean up the burnt waste and take it to a licensed facility for disposal is part of an Environmental Action Notice issued under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and includes the expense of cleaning up after the illegal dumping which often exceeds the cost of the fine.
Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Infringements Act 2006, the person receiving the fine has the right to have the infringement notice reviewed or be considered by a court.
Any member of the public can report pollution by calling EPA's 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution
