Burning off grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation is generally permitted outside the Fire Danger Period.
Local laws on burn-offs can apply year-round. Check with your local council before lighting up.
Before burning off, ensure:
- You're following regulations or laws by CFA and your local council.
- You notify your neighbours if your activity will generate fire and smoke.
- Check the weather forecast for the day of the activity and a few days afterwards.
- Establish a gap in vegetation or fire break with no less than three metres cleared of all flammable material.
- There are enough people to monitor, contain and extinguish the burn safely and effectively.
- You notify the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA)
Register your burn-off
To notify ESTA of your planned burn
- Online (Preferred) - Register online on the Fire Permits Victoria website. You can do so if your burn-off commences more than two hours from now.
- By Phone - If you wish to start your burn-off immediately, or do not wish to utilise the online form, you may register your burn-off by calling ESTA on 1800 668 511, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. National Relay Service Users can ring 1300 555 727 and ask for Information to be relayed to ESTA via 1800 668 511
- By Email - Complete the Burn off Notification Form (PDF 191.5KB) and email the form to burnoffs@esta.vic.gov.au.
Please provide the following information about your burn-off when registering:
- Location
- Date and expected start and finish times
- Estimated size
- What you intend to burn
Unregistered burn-offs can cause brigades to be called out unnecessarily.
Permits
(See Fire Permits section for full details and application forms)
Burning off during the Fire Danger Period – Schedule 13 Permits
Burning off grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation during the Fire Danger Period is permitted under the following conditions:
- You have a written permit issued by a Fire Prevention Officer of a public authority, the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer or by the CFA District office
- You comply with the conditions of that permit
- 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.
Many councils ban burning off on certain days, within certain locations or at certain times within their municipalities. Check with the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer.
More information about Fire Permits.
Burning for other purposes – Schedule 14 permits
Schedule 14 permits are for purposes not covered by Schedule 13 during the Fire Danger Period. For example, burning deceased stock or operating machinery.
CFA regional offices usually issue Schedule 14 permits but check with your local council first - arrangements are different in each area.
Incinerators
Before burning rubbish at any time of the year, check that there are no council requirements or restrictions. Some local councils don't allow incinerators at all.
Recycling or disposal at a registered landfill are alternatives to using incinerators.
Using incinerators during the Fire Danger Period
You don't need a permit, provided:
- You check with council about any local laws that might prescribe conditions or restrict or prohibit incinerator use (eg. bans on certain days, within certain areas, or at certain times)
And the following requirements are met:
- The fire is effectively restricted within the incinerator
- The wind is not more than 10 kph (this can be observed when twigs and leaves 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.
Page last updated: Sunday, 17 April 2022 1:10:16 PM