Businesses or individuals who need to use fire in the open air to conduct their work during the Fire Danger Period may require a permit.
Permit applications are assessed in accordance with the Country Fire Authority Act 1958.
Applications for permits during a Fire Danger Period will be considered based on local and expected conditions. Permits may or may not be granted.
An application does not guarantee that a permit will be issued. Any permit issued may be suspended for a period of time at the direction of CFA or by declaration of a Total Fire Ban; it may also be cancelled by the issuing officer.
Do I need a permit?
You can check if you need a permit through the Fire Permits Victoria website.
Alternatively, you can check CFA's 'Can I or can't I' page for further information.
How do I apply for a Fire Danger Period permit?
Permits can be applied online through the Fire Permits Victoria website.
If you are unable to apply online, see the below information on the different permit types for further instruction.
Schedule 13 permit
A Schedule 13 permit may be issued to burn fine fuel (such as grass, stubble, weeds), and only where there is an essential need to burn during the Fire Danger Period.
For example: farming - broad acre cropping.
Depending on the location of the burn, the assessment of applications and issuing of Schedule 13 permits may be done by:
- A Municipal Fire Prevention Officer at your local council or CFA if the planned burn area is within the country area of Victoria
- Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) if the planned burn area is within the FRV fire district.
- Apply for a Schedule 13 permit online through the Fire Permits Victoria website.
- If you are unable to apply online, obtain an application form from your local council, CFA District office or FRV Regional Office. If you are not sure if your planned burn location is within the country area of Victoria or the FRV fire district, please check the CFA & FRV boundaries.
Schedule 14 permit
A Schedule 14 permit may be issued to light a fire for purposes not covered by a Schedule 13 permit, and only where it is essential to use fire during the Fire Danger Period.
For example: biosecurity requirements such as diseased plants or deceased livestock; essential hot works to repair or maintain infrastructure on rail or road corridors, solid fuel catering; fireworks; blacksmithing; hot air ballooning; bird scaring device; etc.
Depending on the location of the activity, the assessment of applications and issuing of Schedule 14 permits may be done by CFA or FRV.
- Apply for a Schedule 14 permit online through the Fire Permits Victoria website.
- If you are unable to apply online, for permit applications within the country area of Victoria;
- Obtain an application form from your local CFA District Office. Submit the form according to CFA instructions.
- If you are unable to apply online, for permit applications within the FRV fire district;
- Obtain an application form from your local FRV Regional Office. Submit the form according to FRV instructions.
If you are not sure if your planned activity is within the country area of Victoria or the FRV fire district, please check the CFA & FRV boundaries.
Other important information:
Country area of Victoria
The country area of Victoria means that part of Victoria which lies outside the FRV fire district, but does not include, any forest, national park or protected public land.
Permits to burn in fire protected areas
In some areas, called fire protected areas, which are within the country area of Victoria and within 1.5km of forests, national parks or protected public land, fire restrictions are determined by the Prohibited Period under the Forests Act.
The Prohibited Period generally coincides with the CFA's declared Fire Danger Period but may vary depending on bushfire risk in a given fire season. The list of places and dates where the Prohibited Period applies can be found on the Forest Fire Management Victoria website.
Permits to burn in these areas during a Prohibited Period are issued by the the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).
You can apply for a permit through the Fire Permits Victoria website or obtain an application form from your local DEECA Regional Office.
Total Fire Ban Days
Permits issued to use fire in the open air during a Fire Danger Period DO NOT ALLOW the permit holder to use fire on a day of Total Fire Ban.
Depending on the location of the planned activity, a person may apply to CFA, FRV or DEECA for a Section 40 permit to light a fire on a Total Fire Ban day, but only for specific purposes. See Total Fire Ban permits for more information.
Conditions
Conditions will apply if a permit is granted. The applicant agrees to comply with all conditions.
Failure to comply with each and every condition contained in any permit issued is an offence under the law and penalties for non-compliance will apply.
Compliance with the permit conditions will not of itself relieve the permit holder from liability (civil or criminal) for any damage sustained by another person as a result of any fire lit by the permit holder
Notifications
Notifications, as required by the permit conditions, are very important. These notifications are to prevent an unwarranted response by the local Fire Brigade as a result of a '000' call being received. Refer to the permit for specific detail regarding who must be notified before you burn.
The Fire Permits Victoria website also allows you to notify authorities when you plan to use your permit.
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Page last updated: Monday, 13 February 2023 3:32:37 PM