Summary
- Fire pits can cause severe burns
- Fire pits can start a fire in your backyard
- Check local fire restrictions before you light a fire
- Set your fire pit up on a flat, non-flammable surface
- Always be watching when they're in use
Risks of fire pits and chimeneas
Chimeneas and fire pits can be an attractive and fun way to stay warm, but they can cause burns or start a fire in your backyard.
Fire pits can cause burns
Fire pits become very hot and create a lot of heat. This creates a high risk of burns.
How to prevent burns:
- Watch children very carefully around fire pits
- Never use petrol or other accelerants on a fire
- Be careful when drinking alcohol around a fire pit so you or your guests don't lose balance and fall in the fire
Fire pits can start a fire
Knocking a fire pit, chimenea, brazier or other fire device over could start a fire in your backyard.
Sparks and embers from the fire can also cause nearby vegetation to catch on fire, especially when it's very dry.
- Be careful when socialising around a fire pit that you don't knock it over
- Always have at least 10 litres of water or a hose nearby to put any fire out
- Always have a responsible adult supervising the fire
How to have a safe backyard fire pit
Make sure your fire pit, brazier or chimenea is set up on a flat, stable surface that won't catch fire.
Choose a safe, stable location
- The area 3 metres around and above the fire pit should be clear of anything that can burn. Make sure there are no branches, leaves or other flammable items nearby.
- Set your fire pit, chimenea or brazier up on a stable surface that won't burn, such as gravel, bare earth or paving.
Don't use accelerant on the fire
Never use petrol, alcohol or any other accelerant to start or fuel your fire.
This is the most common cause of people being admitted to hospital burns units for severe burns.
Put fire out completely
If you need to walk away from the fire or go inside, use use water to put it out immediately.
Want to wait for it to burn down? You must stay near the fire at all times.
Check fire restrictions before you have a fire
If fire restrictions are in place, you might not be allowed to have a fire in your backyard, even in a fire pit or chimenea. The video below explains when you can and can't have a backyard fire pit.
[Can I light a fire pit, braziers, or chimineas?]
[On screen text]
Can I light a fire pit, braziers, or chimineas?
[Upbeat music]
[Voice over]
Can I light a fire pit, braziers, or chimineas?
[Man 1]
During a Fire Danger Period, I can't.
[Man 2]
Unless I make sure winds are low. And the fire pit is clear of anything that can catch fire.
[On screen diagram]
Firepit with clear area measuring 3 metres above and 3 metres from the edge of firepit to all sides
[Man 2]
Before leaving, the fire must be fully out.
[Man 1 voice over]
And I can't light one at all on Total Fire Ban days.
[Man 2]
To learn more about using a fire pit, brazier, or chiminea lawfully, go to cfa.vic.gov.au/can
[On screen text]
cfa.vic.gov.au/can
[Music ends]
Fire Danger Period
CFA declares a Fire Danger Period when there is an increased fire risk.
Having an outdoor fire during the Fire Danger Period
If the Fire Danger Period has come into effect in the area you are in, you can only have an outdoor fire if it meets the following conditions:
- The wind needs to be less than 10 km per/hr (if leaves on trees are constantly moving around in the wind it's too windy)
- The area 3 metres around and above the fire pit must be clear of anything that can burn
- Someone must be present at all times when the fire is going and they need to be able to put out the fire
- The fire must be completely put out (using water) before you leave
If you break these rules during the Fire Danger Period, you could be fined more than $23,000 or face 12 months in prison, or both.
Total Fire Ban days
CFA declares a Total Fire Ban on days when fires are more likely to spread quickly and be difficult to control. They are announced on our restrictions page, on VicEmergency and in the media.
It is illegal to use a fire pit, chimenea, brazier or any other solid fuelled fire anywhere in Victoria on a day of Total Fire Ban.
Having a fire on a Total Fire Ban day can result in being fined more than $46,000, or 24 months in prison or both.
Page last updated: Wednesday, 9 September 2026 6:17:17 PM