Fire Restrictions

Fire Danger Season Restrictions

To help control the bushfire problem during summer and protect lives and property, the CFS has the power to impose restrictions on the lighting of fires through declarations of the Fire Danger Season and Total Fire Bans.

 

Know your Fire Restrictions

During the Fire Danger Season fire restrictions apply throughout all South Australia’s 15 fire ban districts, including the Adelaide Metropolitan area.

Use of fires in the open during the Fire Danger Season are strictly regulated under the Country Fires Act 1989 with local restrictions imposed by councils within the 15 fire ban districts.

During this period you must apply for a permit to use fires outdoors. It is important to know not only which fire ban district you live in but also which one you are visiting.

The penalties for illegally lighting a fire are very severe. You face the possibility of incurring a fine of up to $8 000 or imprisonment for up to two (2) years.

About Total Fire Bans

 

Can I? Can’t I?

 

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I light a fire without a permit?

In general the only fires which do not require a permit are fires used for cooking, personal comfort, fires in incinerators, gas fires, gas fired appliances and gas or electric welding equipment, provided they are lit in accordance with regulations and council restrictions applying to their use.

 

No.

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I use an angle grinder outside?

Yes. Providing;

  • The space immediately around and above the appliance is cleared of all flammable material to a distance of at least 4 metres, and;
  • a portable water spray in good working order is at hand, and;
  • a person who is able to control the appliance is present at all times while the appliance is in use or alight.

No. Unless you have obtained a schedule 10 permit from your local council.

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I have a barbecue?

 

Yes. Providing you have;

No. Unless it is a gas or electric barbeque and used only within 15 metres of a dwelling or coastal foreshore.

You must have:

 

 

  • A four (4) metre cleared area around, and above the barbeque.

  • A responsible person in attendance with water or other extinguishing agent on hand.

  • Some councils allow gas or electric barbeques to be used in caravan parks or cleared picnic areas. Look for signs on notice boards, or contact the council office for advice.

 

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I use a bird scarer in my orchard?

Yes, providing;

Yes, providing;

 

 

  • It is constructed to prevent the escape of fire.

  • You have a four (4) metre cleared space around the area.

  • The bird scarer is in good working order and can’t be tipped over.

 

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I burn-off on my property?

 No. Unless you have obtained a Schedule 9 permit from your local council.

No. Unless you have obtained a Schedule 10 permit from your local council.

 

 

 

  • Your local council can advise the conditions for burning-off in you local area.

 

Can I have a campfire?

Yes, providing;

  • The fire is in a 30cm deep trench and no more than one (1) metre square in area.
  • You have a four (4) metre cleared space around and above the fire.
  • A responsible person is in attendance at all times with water or other extinguishing agent on hand.

 

No. All campfires are banned unless you have obtained a Schedule 10 permit from your local council.

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I use a chainsaw or brush cutter?

Yes. Providing;

Yes. Providing;

 

 

  • The exhaust pipe is fitted with an efficient spark arrester.
  • You have a four (4) metre cleared space around the area or the operator has a shovel or rake, and a portable water spray in good working order.

 

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I use fireworks?

No. Private use of fireworks is banned.

  • Licensed Pyrotechnics may conduct public fireworks displays. A Schedule 9 permit must be obtained from your local council.

No. Private use of fireworks is banned.

  • Licensed Pyrotechnics may conduct public fireworks displays. A Schedule 10 permit must be obtained from your local council.

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I undertake harvesting activities?

Yes, Providing;

Yes, Providing;

 

  
  • Any exhaust pipe is fitted with an efficient spark arrester.
  • The vehicle carries a knapsack spray or water extinguisher and a shovel or rake.
  • Your local grain harvesting industry code of practice is followed.

 

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I use a mower or slasher?

Yes, Providing;

Yes, Providing;

 

  
  • The exhaust pipe is fitted with an efficient spark arrester.
  • You have a four (4) metre cleared space around the area or the operator has a shovel or rake, and a portable water spray in good working order.

 

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY
 

Can I burn rubbish or grass cuttings?

In an incinerator?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  
Yes, but only in a properly constructed incinerator unless you have a permit from your local council to burn on the ground.
When using an incinerator you must have:
  • A four (4) metre cleared space around and above it.
  • A responsible person must be in attendance at all times with water or other extinguishing agent on hand.
  • Keep all doors and openings closed and keep screens and guards in place.

 

No. Unless you have a Schedule 10 permit from your local council.

 

The lighting of incinerators is banned and they must not be lit during the period of the Total Fire Ban.

Burning on domestic and non-domestic premises?

The lighting of fires is also governed by the Environment Protection (Burning) Policy 1994.

Some councils have totally prohibited the use of incinerators and open fires for waste disposal on domestic premises. For further information call the Department of Environment and Heritage, Office of the Environment Protection Agency on Freecall 1800 623 445, or your local council.

 

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I slash stubble?

Yes, Providing;

Yes, Providing;

 

 

  • The exhaust pipe of any engine is fitted with an efficient spark arrester.
  • You have four (4) metres of cleared land immediately around the stubble to be cut, or have on hand a knapsack or water extinguisher and a shovel or rake.
  • Your local stubble slashing industry code of practice is followed.

 

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I use welders and other mechanical cutting tools?

Yes. Providing you have;

  • a shield or guard of fire resistant material around the fire to prevent the escape of sparks, hot metal or slag.
  • the space immediately around and above the fire is cleared of all flammable material to a distance of at least four metres, or wetted sufficiently to prevent the spread of fire.
  • a supply of water adequate to extinguish the fire is at hand.
  • if any equipment is removed from the fire, the equipment is immediately placed in a fire proof receptacle.
  • a person who is able to control the fire is present at the site of the fire from the time it is lighted to the time it is completely extinguished.

 

No. Unless you have a Schedule 10 permit from your local council.

 

Electric welders, angle grinders, mechanical cutting tools, oxy welders and other gas fired appliances can only be used outdoors when there is no Total Fire Ban in force.

Where can I get advice?

24 hour information on fire restrictions and fire bans can be accessed from the CFS Fire Bans Hotline 1300 362 361 or SA Metropolitan Fire Service Headquarters on (08) 8204 3600, or seek advice direct from your local council fire prevention officer, nearest brigade or CFS regional office.

 

Can I have a fire in a forest reserve?

No fires including barbecues and campfires are permitted in forest reserves. However, under set conditions, gas barbecues may be permitted in designated areas in the Mount Lofty Ranges forests. Fore enquiries contact your local forest reserves office.

 

No fires are permitted in forest reserves.

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I have a fire in a national park’s reserve?

Strict regulations apply on the use of barbecues and all types of fires in national parks and reserves. 

Fires are only allowed in those reserves which have signs at entrances stating that fires are permitted. These fires may only be lit in designated areas especially set aside for this purpose. 

A number of national parks and wildlife reserves have total bans on the use of wood fires.

 For further information contact your national park and wildlife office.

 

No fires are permitted in national parks or wildlife reserves or forest reserves.