About Total Fire Bans

2 min read

Total Fire Bans are declared by CFA's Chief Officer on days of heightened fire danger to reduce the risk of a fire starting.

Anyone who breaches a Total Fire Ban declaration is subject to heavy legal penalties including large fines and even imprisonment.

Summary

  • Total Fire Bans consider more than the Fire Danger Rating, including current fires and human activity risks.
  • Total Fire Bans can be declared even if the Fire Danger Rating isn’t ‘extreme’.
  • A Total Fire Ban logo appears on the relevant fire weather district maps when active.
  • Check the Can I or Can’t I page for rules on activities like barbecues, burn-offs, and machinery use.

Fire Danger Period or Total Fire Ban. What's the difference?

As well as the Fire Danger Rating, the Chief Officer also considers other factors such as current fires in the landscape, resource commitment and increased likelihood for human and lightning induced fires when declaring Total Fire Bans.

Therefore, CFA might declare a Total Fire Ban for areas that have not reached an 'Extreme' Fire Danger Rating. 

The Total Fire Ban logo will display on the relevant fire districts on the fire danger forecast maps when declared.

Total Fire Ban logo

See Bans and Ratings FAQs for more information.


 

Page last updated: Wednesday, 6 May 2026 1:20:30 PM