13
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1994
MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL FIRE SAFETY ADVICE
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINED TO TAKE EXTRA CARE IN HANDLING FIRES WHEN THEY VISIT THE COUNTRYSIDE DURING THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL HOLIDAY PERIOD.
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT'S COUNTRY PARKS PROTECTION OFFICER, MR EDMOND LAM, TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID: "VISITORS SHOULD REFRAIN FROM RELEASING ANY HUNG MING LANTERN AND BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WITH BARBECUE FIRE AND HAND-HELD CANDLE-LIT LANTERNS,
ACCORDING TO MR LAM, THE ANNUAL MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL IS ONE OF THE HIGH FIRE RISK PERIODS. HE CALLED ON VISITORS TO BE ALERT TO THE FIRE RISK WHEN THEY VISITED COUNTRY PARKS DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD.
MR LAM SAID IT WAS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE FORESTS AND COUNTRYSIDE ORDINANCE AND THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE TO LIGHT FIRE ILLEGALLY OR TO RELEASE A HUNG MING LANTERN IN A COUNTRY PARK OR AREA OF OPEN COUNTRYSIDE.
"ILLEGAL
LIGHTING OF FIRE INSIDE COUNTRY PARKS MAY LEAD MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND ONE YEAR'S IMPRISONMENT, HE SAID.
H
TO A
WERE
HE ADDED THAT THERE WERE SIX PROSECUTIONS AGAINST THE ILLEGAL USE OF FIRE IN COUNTRY PARKS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS AND OFFENDERS FINED A TOTAL OF $4.500.