What can I do / What can't I do?
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.
Unless you have obtained a Schedule 9 Permit from your local council.
Check with your local council for conditions.
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.
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.
Providing:
- the BBQ/cooking appliance is clear of all flammable material to a distance of at least 4 metres
- a person who is able to control the fire is present at the site of the fire until it is extinguished
- an appropriate extinguisher is at hand.
A gas or electric barbecue or cooking appliance can be used:
- within 15 metres of a domestic premises, OR
- on a coastal foreshore
Providing:
- the BBQ/cooking appliance is clear of all flammable material to a distance of at least 4 metres
- a person who is able to control the fire is present at the site of the fire until it is extinguished
- an appropriate extinguisher is at hand.
Provided that:
- the BBQ is clear of all flammable material to a distance of at least 4 metres
- a person who is able to control the fire is present at the site of the fire until it is extinguished
- an appropriate extinguisher is at hand.
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. These permits are generally only issued for emergency purposes.
A gas-fired kettle BBQ can be used if used within 15 metres of a domestic premises or on a coastal foreshore, providing that:
- the BBQ is clear of all flammable material to a distance of at least 4 metres
- a person who is able to control the fire is present at the site of the fire until it is extinguished
- an appropriate extinguisher is at hand.
Provided it is a gas or electric - see above for barbecues.
If wood fired, it must comply with CFS Code of Practice for wood fired pizza ovens or obtain a Schedule 9 Permit from your local council.
Providing:
- you have a 4-metre cleared space around the activity, and
- a shovel or rake and portable water spray are at hand.
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.
Providing:
- you have a 4-metre cleared space around the activity, and
- a shovel or rake and portable water spray are at hand.
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.
Providing:
- the fire is in a 30 cm deep trench and no more than one square metre 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 and/or an appropriate extinguisher
Please note that only charcoal is allowed to be burnt for comfort fires within a metropolitan area or within township boundaries by the EPA Legislation. Check with your local council before lighting a comfort fire.
The use of above ground fires such as chimineas, fire drums, braziers are only permitted with the use of permits
Private use of fireworks is banned.
Licensed pyrotechnicians may conduct public fireworks displays providing a Schedule 9 Permit has been obtained from CFS.
Private use of fireworks is banned.
Licensed pyrotechnicians may conduct public fireworks displays providing a Schedule 10 Permit has been obtained from CFS.
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: $500).
- You must not drop or throw a cigarette butt where it will come into contact with flammable material (Penalty: $500).
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: $500).
- You must not drop or throw a cigarette butt where it will come into contact with flammable material (Penalty: $500).
Providing:
- you have a shovel or rake and a portable water spray at hand.
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.
Providing:
- you have a shovel or rake and a portable water spray at hand.
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.
Providing that:
- the space immediately around and above the appliance is cleared of all flammable material to a distance of at least 4 metres
- the bird scarer is constructed to prevent the escape of fire or burning material
- the bird scarer is in good working order and clean so as to avoid a malfunction that could cause a fire
- 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.
Providing that:
- the space immediately around and above the appliance is cleared of all flammable material to a distance of at least 4 metres
- the bird scarer is constructed to prevent the escape of fire or burning material
- the bird scarer is in good working order and clean so as to avoid a malfunction that could cause a fire
- 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.