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Can I or Can't I?

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Fire Danger Period

Fires in the open air are subject to legal restrictions when the Fire Danger Period is declared by CFA for a particular municipality. Fire Danger Period restrictions remain in place until 1st May unless revoked earlier due to seasonal conditions.

In State forests, National, State and Regional parks and other reserves, Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) fire restrictions remain in force all year round. Local DSE and Parks Victoria offices can provide advice on what forest or parks campfire restrictions apply

Total Fire Ban

Total Fire Bans (TFB) are declared on days when the danger of fires occurring is high, when fire would spread rapidly and be difficult to control.

Total Fire Ban

Commonly asked questions about Fire Restrictions and days of Total Fire Ban:

Can I have a barbecue, light a campfire, or light a fire for warmth or comfort?

Fire Danger Period:

campfire

barbeque

Yes
but only if:
  • the wind is not more than 10kph; and
  • the fire is lit in a properly constructed
    fireplace
    or trench at least 30cm deep; and
  • the fire is not within 7.5 metres of a log or
    stump; and
  • the ground and air space within 3 metres are clear of flammable material; and
  • the fire and fuel used are the minimum necessary for the purpose and do not occupy an area of more than 1sq metre; and
  • a person is in attendance at all times while the fire is alight.

Note that in accordance with the CFA Act, a 'properly constructed fireplace' means a fireplace that is constructed of stone, metal, concrete or any other non-flammable material so as to contain the perimeter of the fire.

A commercially produced barbeque would be considered a properly constructed fireplace.

Total Fire Ban:

Yes
Barbeques that are fixed appliances, fired by gas or electricity, and built into permanent structures of brick, stone or concrete provided that:
  • the area 3 metres around the barbeque is cleared of flammable material; and
  • you have either a hose connected to a water supply or a vessel with at least 10 litres of water; and
  • an adult is there at all times when the fire is alight.
Yes
Gas or electric fired portable barbeques provided that:
  • the barbeque is located within 20 metres of a dwelling (portable places of residence such as mobile homes, caravans or tents are not dwellings in accordance with the CFA Act); and
  • the area 3 metres around the barbeque is cleared of flammable material; and
  • you have either a hose connected to a water supply or a vessel with at least 10 litres of water; and
  • an adult is there at all times when the fire is alight.
No
Campfires, fires for warmth or personal comfort, and solid and liquid fuel barbeques and ovens are banned during TFBs.
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I am a Caterer. Can I set up and light a fire to operate a barbeque or a spit at outdoor functions?

Fire Danger Period:

barbeque

spit roast

Yes

but only if:

  • the wind is not more than 10kph; and
  • the fire is lit in a properly constructed fireplace or trench at least 30cm deep; and
  • the fire is not within 7.5 metres of a log or stump; and
  • the ground and air space within 3 metres are clear of flammable material; and
  • the fire and fuel used are the minimum required for the purpose and do not occupy an area of more than 1 sq metre; and
  • a person is in attendance at all times while the fire is alight.

(A commercially produced barbeque or spit would be considered a properly constructed fireplace)

Total Fire Ban:

 

Yes

but only if you have a written permit issued by CFA and you comply with the conditions of that permit.

Municipal Fire Prevention Officers cannot issue these permits. Permits are available to persons or community charitable organisations to allow them to light a fire to prepare meals for other people in the course of a business. These permits are issued by your local CFA Regional office.

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Can I light a fire in the open air for burning off grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation?

Fire Danger Period:

burn off

Yes

but only if:

  • you have a written permit issued by the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer or by the CFA Regional office; and
  • you comply with the conditions of that permit; and
  • a person is in attendance at all times while the fire is alight.

Many councils ban burning off on smog alert days.

Total Fire Ban:

No

Fires in the open air for burning off grass, scrub, stubble or rubbish are banned during TFB.

Any permits issued by Municipal Fire Prevention Officers are suspended for the duration of any TFB.

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Can I drive a vehicle in places where the vehicle will be in contact with crops, grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation?

Fire Danger Period:

tractor

Yes

but only if the vehicle is fitted with an efficient silencing device that takes all of the exhaust from the engine through the silencing device.

You should avoid driving vehicles through dry vegetation in hot and dry conditions, even if it is not a TFB, due to the risk posed by the hot exhaust system.


Total Fire Ban:

Yes

but only if the vehicle is fitted with an efficient silencing device that takes all of the exhaust from the engine through the silencing device.

This should be avoided wherever possible, due to extreme fire danger posed by dry vegetation and very hot exhaust systems.

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Can I use an incinerator?

Fire Danger Period:

incinerator

Yes

provided that:

  • you check with council about any local laws that might prescribe conditions, restrict or prohibit incinerator use (e.g. bans on smog alert days, certain areas and days of the week)
  • the fire is effectively restricted within the incinerator; and the air movement is 10kph or less; and
  • the area 3 metres around the incinerator is cleared of flammable material; and
  • a supply of water sufficient to extinguish the fire is available when the fire is burning; and
  • a person is in attendance at all times while the fire is alight.

Total Fire Ban:

No

Incinerator use is banned during TFBs.

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Can I carry out welding, grinding, soldering or gas cutting (in the open air)?

Fire Danger Period:

welder

Yes

but only if:

  • a fire-resistant shield or guard is in place to stop sparks etc; and
  • an area at least 1.5 metres is cleared of flammable material or wetted down sufficiently to prevent the spread of fire; and
  • you have a water supply or water spray knapsack containing at least 9 litres of water; and
  • a person is in attendance at all times while the fire is alight;
  • and all cut offs and hot materials are placed in a fire proof receptacle.

Total Fire Ban:

No

Activities such as welding, gas-cutting, soldering, grinding, charring, extracting honey and heating bitumen produce fire and heat and are prohibited during TFB.

Yes

In some circumstances, CFA will issue a permit to community charitable organisations, statutory corporations, councils, industrial or trade operations or for public entertainment purposes to authorise such activities during TFB. These permits must come from CFA Regional offices, and may not be issued by Municipal Fire Prevention Officers.

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Can I use machinery with an internal combustion or heat engine, such as tractors, slashers, excavating or road making equipment within 9 metres of any crops, grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation?

Fire Danger Period:

tractor

Yes

but only if the machinery:

  • is free from faults and mechanical defects which could cause an outbreak of fire;
  • and is fitted with a spark arrester;
  • and carries fire suppression equipment comprising:
    - a knapsack spray pump, in working order, fully charged with water, with a capacity of not less than 9 litres;
    - or a water fire extinguisher, in working order, fully charged with water, with a capacity of not less than 9 litres.

Tractors fitted with a turbocharger or an exhaust aspirated air cleaner do not require a spark arrestor.

Total Fire Ban:

Yes

As for the fire danger period.

However, if possible, postpone this work, as the risk of starting fires is extremely high.

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Can I use a chainsaw, plant or grass trimmer or lawn mower?

Fire Danger Period:

chainsaw

Yes

Chainsaws, plant or grass trimmers, or lawn mowers used in green vegetation without prescribed conditions.

Chainsaws, plant or grass trimmers or lawn mowers used in vegetation that is not green, must be

  • free from faults and mechanical defects which could cause an outbreak of fire; and
  • fitted with an efficient spark arrester; and
  • have an area of at least 3 metres around the machine cleared of flammable material; and
  • the operator of the machine must carry the following fire suppression equipment:
    - a knapsack spray pump, in working order, fully charged with water, with a capacity of not less than 9 litres; or
    - a water fire extinguisher, in working order, fully charged with water, with a capacity of not less than 9 litres.

Total Fire Ban:

Yes

As for the fire danger period.

However, if possible, postpone this work, as the risk of starting fires is extremely high. Follow the precautions outlines for the fire danger period and use extreme caution.

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pdf Download a copy of this page (pdf 74k) | pdf Download a Black/White copy of this page (pdf 41k)

Also available in other languages >>

Caravans, Fire Restrictions and Total Fire Bans

Caravans, Fire Restrictions and Total Fire Bans (pdf 57k) - detailed information for Caravan Owners and Caravan Parks.

 

 

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