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 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 barbecue/cooking appliance is clear of all flammable vegetation 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 or commercial premises, OR
- on a coastal foreshore.
Providing:
- the barbecue/cooking appliance is clear of all flammable vegetation 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 barbecue is clear of all flammable vegetation 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 barbecue (one that uses fuel such as wood, charcoal or heat beads) cannot be used unless you get a Schedule 10 Permit from your local council. These permits are generally only issued for emergency purposes.
A gas-fired kettle barbecue can be used if used within 15 metres of a domestic or commercial premises or on a coastal foreshore, providing that:
- the barbecue is clear of all flammable vegetation 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 should comply with the CFS Code of Practice and must be in a properly constructed fireplace, have a 4 metres clearance from flammable vegetation, someone in attendance while it is lit and an adequate extinguishing agent at hand.
Providing:
- 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/vegetation
- the system is in good working order.
Providing:
- 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/vegetation
- 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 4 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 they have a Schedule 9 Permit from CFS.
Private use of fireworks is banned.
Licensed pyrotechnicians may conduct public fireworks displays providing they have a Schedule 10 Permit 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 vegetation (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 vegetation (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/vegetation
- 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/vegetation
- 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 vegetation 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 vegetation 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.