Fire Danger Season dates & permits

The CFS Chief Officer has declared the Fire Danger Season dates for 2023/2024 for all fire ban districts in South Australia.

They are published in the Government Gazette and the Public Notices section of The Advertiser before the declared date. Restrictions on fires under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005 will apply throughout South Australia from the dates listed.

 

Information Hotline

Find out what you can and can't do during the Fire Danger Season, for more contact the Information Hotline on 1800 362 361.

Fire on Government Reserves

Department for Environment and Water

Fire bans

• All open fires, liquid fuel and gas stoves are banned in all parks on Total Fire Ban days as declared by the CFS and broadcast on the radio. Parks may be closed to visitors on Total Fire Ban days.

Fire restrictions

• Department for Environment and Water (DEW) imposes fire restrictions to ensure the safety of visitors using the reserves, and to protect the reserves and neighbouring properties.
• For information on fire restrictions in National Parks, Wildlife Reserves and Wilderness Protection Areas visit the National Parks website.

Prescribed burns

DEW conducts prescribed burns as part of its fire management program. Prescribed burning is the controlled use of fire to a particular area of landscape. The aim is to strategically reduce fire fuel hazards in areas of South Australia's parks and reserves.

ForestrySA

Fire restrictions and bans

• The lighting of fires is prohibited on ForestrySA Forest Reserves between 1 November and 30 April in any year. These dates may be extended where high fire danger persists.
• ForestrySA Forest Reserves are closed for public access on days of Total Fire Ban as declared by the CFS and broadcast on the radio. Daily Fire Ban information is posted on the CFS website and Facebook page.

Residue and prescribed burns

• ForestrySA conducts plantation forest residue burning and prescribed burning of native vegetation as part of its fire management program to strategically reduce fire fuel hazards for community protection.
• For more information visit ForestrySA.

Fires and activities that can be undertaken without a permit

Some activities are permitted to be undertaken during the Fire Danger Season provided that strict conditions are complied with. These activities include: using gas appliances for cooking, electric welders and angle grinders, and fires for cooking and personal comfort.

The use of above ground fires, such as chimineas, fire drums, braziers, are only permitted with the use of permits and compliance with conditions.

Wood Fire Pizza Ovens

• Outside - requires Schedule 10 Permit
• Inside dwelling (fully enclosed four walls and a roof, with spark arrester) - OK to use

Types of permits

There are two types of permits that can be issued by an Authorised Officer:

• Schedule 9 Permit - may be issued for fires or activities on days during the Fire Danger Season that are not Total Fire Ban days.
• Schedule10 Permit - may be issued for fires or activities on days that are Total Fire Bans - these are intended for emergency use only.

To find your nearest Authorised Officer contact your local council.

You can apply to an Authorised Officer for a permit either in person, by mail, email, over the phone or via radio. The Authorised Officer will assess your permit application before issuing a permit.

The Authorised Officer is required to assess the permit application to ensure that:

• they are satisfied that the lighting and maintaining of the fire is in all circumstances justified
• adequate precautions will be taken to prevent the spread of fire.

Once the Authorised Officer is satisfied they will issue you with a permit and a permit number. The conditions that you must comply with are included in the permit.

For any theatrical fire effects or pyrotechnic (fireworks) displays the only authority that can issue a Permit to light or maintain a fire is the CFS.

Conditions

You must comply with the conditions included in the permit.

In particular, not less than 2 hours before you light or intend to light the fire, you must notify:

• all adjoining neighbours
• an officer of the local council
• the person in charge of any nearby government reserve.

Conditions may vary from area to area depending on the time of year and season.

Full details will be provided on the permit by the Authorised Officer of the Council. For further information contact your local council.

Councils

Some councils have limited staff and Authorised Officers may not be available due to leave or other commitments.

 

CFS Permit Requests for councils without authorised officers – cfs.permits@eso.sa.gov.au