Can I burn off?
section.
Chainsaw / Lawn
Can I use a chainsaw, plant or grass trimmer or lawn mower?
NO unless:
- the chainsaw, plant or grass trimmer or lawn mower complies with the following when used in vegetation that is not green (that is dry vegetation):
- free from faults and mechanical defects that could cause an outbreak of fire
- fitted with an efficient spark arrester
- have an area of at least 3 metres around the machine cleared of flammable material
Also, a person must be in attendance at all times the machine is being used, and must carry at least one of the following fire suppression equipment items:
- one knapsack spray pump, in working order, fully charged with water, with a capacity of not less than 9 litres, or
- one water (stored pressure) fire extinguisher, in working order, fully charged with water and maintained at the correct pressure, with a capacity of not less than 9 litres
Work undertaken in GREEN vegetation is permitted, however CFA suggests maintaining equipment and carrying fire suppression equipment as described above.
Note that the spark arrester, the knapsack spray pump and the water fire extinguisher referred to above must comply with the applicable Australian Standards.
Farm / Road Machinery
Can I use self-propelled farm machinery, tractors, slashers, earth-moving, excavating or road making machines propelled by a heat engine within 9 metres of any crops, grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation?
NO unless the machinery is:
- is free from faults and mechanical defects that could cause an outbreak of fire
- is fitted with a spark arrester in working order, a turbocharger or exhaust aspirated air cleaner
- carries fire suppression equipment comprising either:
- at least one knapsack spray pump, in working order, fully charged with water, with a capacity of not less than 9 litres, or
- at least one water (stored pressure) fire extinguisher, in working order, fully charged with water and maintained at the correct pressure, with a capacity of not less than 9 litres.
Note that the spark arrester, the knapsack spray pump and the water fire extinguisher referred to above must comply with the applicable Australian Standards.
Incinerator
Can I use an incinerator?
NO unless:
- You check with council about any local laws that might prescribe conditions or restrict or prohibit incinerator use (eg bans on certain days, in certain areas or during certain times)
- And the following requirements are met:
- the fire is effectively restricted within the incinerator which means that sparks, embers or coals cannot escape from the top, side or bottom of the incinerator
- the wind is not more than 10km/h (this can be observed if leaves and small twigs are in constant motion)
- the ground and air space within 3 metres from the outer perimeter of the incinerator are clear of flammable material
- a supply of water adequate to extinguish the fire is available at all times when the fire is burning
- a person is in attendance at all times while the fire is alight and has the capacity and means to extinguish the fire
- the fire is completely extinguished before the person leaves.
Note that the CFA Act 1958 defines an incinerator as a structure or device which is used, or may be used, for the destruction or disposal of unwanted materials by burning and is:
- constructed from non-flammable material, and
- fitted with a shield or guard of non-flammable material to prevent the emission of sparks, embers or other burning material
Wildlife scare gun
Can I use a gas-powered wildlife scaring gun?
NO unless:
- you have a fire danger period (Schedule 14) permit issued by CFA or FRV, depending on the location of the activity; and comply with all permit conditions
Total Fire Ban (TFB) Restrictions
Burning off
Can I burn off?
Can I light a fire in the open air to burn off grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation?
NO
All fires in the open air for burning off grass, scrub, stubble or rubbish are banned during Total Fire Ban Days.
All Fire Danger Period permits issued by CFA, FRV, a Municipal Fire Prevention Officer or a Fire Prevention Officer of a public authority. are suspended for the duration of any Total Fire Ban day.
Any existing fires, including those that were allowed under an exemption or permit for the Fire Danger Period, are prohibited and must be completely extinguished before the Total Fire Ban begins.
Barbecue
Can I barbecue?
Can I barbecue?
You can't cook outdoors using solid fuel such as wood or heat beads during Total Fire Ban Days.
NO unless:
- the barbecue uses only gas or electricity, and
- is a permanently fixed structure built of stone, metal, concrete or another non-flammable material, or
- is designed and commercially manufactured exclusively for meal preparation (including portable gas barbecues and portable gas stoves), and when alight is placed in a stable position.
- the area within a distance of 3 metres from the outer perimeter of the barbecue is clear of flammable material
- you have 10 litres of water ready, or a hose connected to a tap and ready to use.
Solid Fuel BBQ
Can I have a spit style rotisserie fired by heat beads, wood or other solid fuel?
NO
Solid Fuel barbecues and spit style rotisseries fired by heat beads, wood or other solid material are banned in the open air on Total Fire Ban days.
Note that the CFA Act 1958 defines, a properly-constructed fireplace as a fireplace that is constructed of stone, metal, concrete or any other non-flammable material that contains the perimeter of the fire. A commercially-produced barbecue is considered a properly-constructed fireplace.
Campfire
Can I light a campfire?
Can I light a campfire?
All campfires, fires for warmth or personal comfort are banned during Total Fire Ban Days.
NO
On Total Fire Ban Days you can’t light a campfire.
Welding / Hot work /Beekeeping
Can I perform hot works?
Can I carry out activities including: welding, grinding, charring, soldering or gas cutting / relocating bees with a bee smoker / extracting honey using heat or flame / rail maintenance / heating bitumen?
NO
In limited circumstances, CFA, DELWP or FRV may issue a permit on Total Fire Ban Days.
These permits are issued by CFA, DELWP or FRV depending on the location of the activity. They cannot be issued by Municipal Fire Prevention Officers.
Find out how to apply for a Section 40 permit.
Driving vehicles
Driving through dry grass can lead to grass fires.
Can I drive a vehicle in places where the vehicle will be in contact with crops, grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation?
NO unless:
- the vehicle is fitted with an efficient silencing device (eg. muffler) that takes all of the exhaust from the engine through the silencing device.
This should be avoided wherever possible, as the risk of starting fires is extremely high and the impact of fire on these days may be much greater.
Commercial Catering
I run a meal preparation business (eg. catering), or am a community/charitable/fundraising or similar organisation. Can I set up and light a fire to operate a barbecue, cooker, hotplate or a spit at outdoor functions?
NO unless:
- you have a written permit issued by CFA, DELWP or FRV and you comply with the conditions of that permit.
A community organisation, a charitable organisation or an organisation involved in fundraising (for example, a school or sporting group) may apply for permission to light a fire to prepare meals for other people in the course of their business.
These permits are issued by, and at the discretion of CFA, DELWP or FRV depending on the location of the activity. Municipal Fire Prevention Officers cannot issue these permits. Find out more in the Fire Permits section.
Chainsaw / Lawn
Can I use a chainsaw, plant or grass trimmer or lawn mower?
This should be avoided wherever possible on Total Fire Ban days because the risk of starting fires is extremely high and the impact of fire on these days may be much greater.
If the work is essential:
- the chainsaw, plant or grass trimmer or lawn mower complies with the following when used in vegetation that is not green (that is dry vegetation):
- free from faults and mechanical defects that could cause an outbreak of fire
- fitted with an efficient spark arrester
- have an area of at least 3 metres around the machine cleared of flammable material
- Also, a person must be in attendance at all times the machine is being used, and must carry at least one of the following fire suppression equipment items:
- one knapsack spray pump, in working order, fully charged with water, with a capacity of not less than 9 litres, or
- one water (stored pressure) fire extinguisher, in working order, fully charged with water and maintained at the correct pressure, with a capacity of not less than 9 litres.
Note that the spark arrester, the knapsack spray pump and the water fire extinguisher referred to above must comply with the applicable Australian Standards.
Farm / Road Machinery
Can I use self-propelled farm machinery, tractors, slashers, earth-moving, excavating or road making machines propelled by a heat engine within 9 metres of any crops, grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation??
This should be avoided wherever possible because the risk of starting fires is extremely high and the impact of fire on these days may be much greater.
If the work is essential, ensure machinery:
- is free from faults and mechanical defects that could cause an outbreak of fire
- is fitted with a spark arrester in working order, a turbocharger or exhaust aspirated air cleaner
- carries fire suppression equipment comprising either:
- at least one knapsack spray pump, in working order, fully charged with water, with a capacity of not less than 9 litres, or
- at least one water (stored pressure) fire extinguisher, in working order, fully charged with water and maintained at the correct pressure, with a capacity of not less than 9 litres.
Note that the spark arrester, the knapsack spray pump and the water fire extinguisher referred to above must comply with the applicable Australian Standards.
Incinerator
Can I use an incinerator?
NO
Using an incinerator is banned on Total Fire Ban Days.
Note that the CFA Act 1958 defines an incinerator as a structure or device which is used, or may be used, for the destruction or disposal of unwanted materials by burning and is:
- constructed from non-flammable material, and
- fitted with a shield or guard of non-flammable material to prevent the emission of sparks, embers or other burning material
Wildlife scare gun
Can I use a gas-powered wildlife scare gun?
NO
Gas-powered scare guns cannot be used on days of Total Fire Ban.