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The following are for restrictions during the Fire Danger Season and on Total Fire Ban days. To find out what restrictions are in place in your area outside of these times, contact your local council.
| Within the Fire Danger Season | On a Total Fire Ban Day | |||
| Can I light a fire without a permit? | 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 burn-off on my property? | 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 burn rubbish or grass clippings? | 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:
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 days of Total Fire Bans. |
| You must check with your local council for compliance with Environment Protection Authority restrictions. 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? | NO |
No fires, including barbecues and campfires, are permitted in forest reserves between November 30 to April 30 each year. 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 NOT permitted. |
| Can I have a fire in a National Park Reserve? | NO |
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. may National Parks and Wildlife reserves have total bans on the use of wood fires. For further information, contact the Park office. |
NO | Fires are NOT permitted. |
| Can I use a gas or electric barbecue? | YES |
Providing:
|
YES |
A gas or electric barbecue can be used:
Providing:
|
| Some local councils allow gas or electric barbecues in caravan parks or cleared picnic areas. Look for signs or contact the council for advice. | ||||
| Can I use a kettle BBQ? | YES |
Provided that:
|
NO |
A solid fuel burning kettle BBQ (one that uses fuel such as wood, charcoal or heat beads) cannot be used unless you obtain a Schedule 10 permit from your local council. A gas-fired kettle bbq can be used if used within 15 metres of a domestic premises or on a coastal foreshore, providing that:
|
| Can I use a chainsaw, brush cutter, mower or slasher? | YES |
Providing:
|
YES |
Providing:
|
| Can I use an angle grinder, welder or any other cutting tool outside? | YES | Providing you have a 4-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 have a campfire? | YES |
Providing:
|
NO | Unless you have a Schedule 10 permit from your local council. |
| Can I use fireworks? | NO |
Private use of fireworks is banned. Licensed pyrotechnics may conduct public fireworks displays providing a Schedule 9 permit has been obtained from 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 from the local council. |
| Can I smoke cigarettes? | YES |
But:
|
YES |
But:
|
| Can I undertake harvesting activities? | YES |
Providing:
Additionally:
You should also follow your local Grain Harvesting Code of Practice available from your local council. |
YES |
Providing:
Additionally:
You should also follow your local Grain Harvesting Code of Practice available from your local council. |
| Can I use a bird scarer in my orchard? | YES |
Providing that:
|
YES |
Providing that:
|
| Advice: if the information you require is not on our website you may telephone the CFS Bushfire Information Hotline on 1300 362 361. | ||||