What Can I Do

Can I light a fire without a permit?  

WITHIN FIRE DANGER SEASON

ON A TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

In general the only fires which do not require a permit are fires used for cooking, personal comfort, fires in incinerators, gas fired appliances and gas or electric welding equipment provided they are lit in accordance with the regulations and council restrictions applying to their use.

No.

Can I use a gas or electric barbecue?  

WITHIN FIRE DANGER SEASON

Yes, providing you have;

• a 4-metre cleared space around and above the gas fire or electric element.
• a responsible person in attendance at all times.
• an adequate agent to extinguish the fire is at hand.

Yes, a gas or electric barbecue can be used;

• within 15 metres of a domestic premises or,
• on a coastal foreshore.

Providing you have;

• a 4-metre cleared space around and above the barbecue.
• a responsible person in attendance at all times.
• an adequate agent to extinguish the fire is at hand.

Can I use an angle grinder, welder or any other cutting tool outside?    

WITHIN FIRE DANGER SEASON

ON A TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Yes, providing you have a four-metre cleared space around the area, and water or an extinguisher is at hand.

No, unless you have obtained a Schedule 10 Permit from your local council.

Can I use a bird scarer in my orchard?  

WITHIN FIRE DANGER SEASON

ON A TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Yes, providing that;

• The space immediately around and above the appliance is cleared of all flammable material to a distance of at least 4 metres; and
• The bird scarer is constructed to prevent the escape of fire or burning material; and
• The bird scarer is in good working order and clean so as to avoid a malfunction that could cause a fire; and
• The person using the bird scarer takes precautions to ensure that the bird scarer cannot fall over, or be knocked over or otherwise interfered with by animals.

Yes, providing that;

• The space immediately around and above the appliance is cleared of all flammable material to a distance of at least 4 metres; and
• The bird scarer is constructed to prevent the escape of fire or burning material; and
• The bird scarer is in good working order and clean so as to avoid a malfunction that could cause a fire; and
• The person using the bird scarer takes precautions to ensure that the bird scarer cannot fall over, or be knocked over or otherwise interfered with by animals.

Can I burn-off on my property?  

WITHIN FIRE DANGER SEASON

ON A TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

No, unless you have obtained a Schedule 9 Permit from your local council.

Check with your local council for conditions.

No, unless you have obtained a Schedule 10 Permit from your local council.

Check with your local council for conditions.

 Can I have a campfire?

WITHIN FIRE DANGER SEASON

ON A TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Yes, providing:

• The fire is in a 30-cm deep trench and no more than one metre square in area.
• You have a four-metre cleared space around and above the fire.
• A responsible person is in attendance at all times with water or an extinguisher.

No, unless you have a Schedule 10 Permit from your local council.

Can I use a chainsaw, brush cutter, mower or slasher?    

WITHIN FIRE DANGER SEASON

ON A TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Yes, providing:

• You have a four-metre cleared space around the activity; or
• a shovel or rake; and
  portable water spray are at hand; and 
  
  Additionally:
  
• All engine exhaust exits through the exhaust system; and 
• the system prevents the escape of burning material
• heated parts of the system are prevented from coming into contact with flammable material
• the system is in good working order. 

Yes, providing:

• You have a four-metre cleared space around the activity; or
• a shovel or rake; and
  portable water spray are at hand; and 
  
  Additionally:
  
• All engine exhaust exits through the exhaust system; and 
• the system prevents the escape of burning material
• heated parts of the system are prevented from coming into contact with flammable material
• the system is in good working order.

Can I use fireworks?

WITHIN FIRE DANGER SEASON

ON A TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

No, private use of fireworks is banned.

Licensed pyrotechnics may conduct public fireworks displays providing a Schedule 9 Permit has been obtained for the local council.

No, private use of fireworks is banned.

Licensed pyrotechnics may conduct public fireworks displays providing a Schedule 10 Permit has been obtained for the local council.

Can I Smoke Cigarettes?    

WITHIN FIRE DANGER SEASON

ON A TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Yes, but;

• You must not smoke within 2 metres of flammable bush or grass outside of a township (Penalty $1250).
• You must not throw a cigarette butt from a vehicle (Penalty $5000).
• You must not drop or throw a cigarette butt where it will come into contact with flammable material (Penalty $5000).

Yes, but;

• You must not smoke within 2 metres of flammable bush or grass outside of a township (Penalty $1250).
•  You must not throw a cigarette butt from a vehicle (Penalty $5000).
• You must not drop or throw a cigarette butt where it will come into contact with flammable material (Penalty $5000).

Can I undertake harvesting activities? 

WITHIN FIRE DANGER SEASON

ON A TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Yes, providing:

• You have a shovel or rake; and
  portable water spray are at hand; and 
  
  Additionally:
  
• All engine exhaust exits through the exhaust system; and 
• the system prevents the escape of burning material
• heated parts of the system are prevented from coming into contact with flammable material
• the system is in good working order.

You should also follow your local Grain Harvesting Code of Practice available from your local council.

Yes, providing:

• You have a shovel or rake; and
  portable water spray are at hand; and 
  
  Additionally:
  
• All engine exhaust exits through the exhaust system; and 
• the system prevents the escape of burning material
• heated parts of the system are prevented from coming into contact with flammable material
• the system is in good working order.

You should also follow your local Grain Harvesting Code of Practice available from your local council.

Can I burn rubbish or grass cuttings?  

WITHIN FIRE DANGER SEASON

ON A TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Yes, but only in a properly constructed incinerator unless you have a permit from your local council to burn on the ground.

• When using an incinerator you must have:
• A four-metre cleared space around and above the fire
• A responsible person must be in attendance at all times with water or an extinguisher
• All incinerator doors and openings should be closed and screens and guards in place.

No, unless you have a Schedule 10 Permit from your local council.

The lighting of incinerators is banned during Total Fire Bans.

You must check with your local council and the Environment Protection Authority, which also has control over the lighting of fires. Some councils have totally prohibited the use of incinerators and open fires for waste disposal on domestic premises.

Can I have a fire in a forest reserve?

WITHIN FIRE DANGER SEASON

ON A TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

No fires, including barbecues and campfires, are permitted in forest reserves. However, gas barbecues may be permitted in designated areas in Mount Lofty Ranges forest under certain conditions.

For enquiries, contact the Forestry Reserve Office.

No fires are permitted.

Can I have a fire in a National Park Reserve?

WITHIN FIRE DANGER SEASON

ON A TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Strict regulations apply to all fires, including barbecues, in National Parks and Wildlife Reserves. Signs are placed at the park entrance when fires are permitted, but they can only be lit in designated areas. Many National Parks and Wildlife Reserves have total bans on the use of wood fires.

For further information contact the Park Office.

No fires are permitted.

Advice  

If the information that you require is not on our website you may telephone the CFS Bushfire Information Hotline
on 1300 362 361.