Can I or Can’t I?
Find out what you can and can't do during the declared Fire Danger Period, and on days of Total Fire Ban, when fires in the open air are legally restricted.
- + BBQ / Campfires
Total Fire Ban
Can I have a barbecue, light a campfire or light a fire for warmth or comfort?
All camp fires, fires for warmth or personal comfort are banned during Total Fire Ban Days. Solid and liquid fuel barbecues and ovens (including hangis) are also banned during Total Fire Ban Days.
No unless:
- the barbecue uses only gas or electricity and is a permanently fixed structure built of stone, metal, concrete or another non-flammable material designed exclusively for meal preparation, or is designed and commercially manufactured exclusively for meal preparation (including portable barbecues), and when alight is placed in a stable position
- the area within a distance of 3 metres from the outer perimeter of the barbecue is clear of flammable material
- you have either a hose connected to a water supply or a container with at least 10 litres of water for immediate use
- an adult is there at all times when a fire is alight who has the capacity and means to extinguish the fire
- the fire is completely extinguished before the adult leaves.
Fire Danger Period
Can I have a barbecue, light a campfire or light a fire for warmth or comfort?
No unless:
- the wind is not more than 10km/h (this can be observed if leaves and small twigs are in constant motion)
- the fire is lit in a properly-constructed fireplace or in a trench at least 30 centimetres deep
- the area within a distance of 3 metres from the outer perimeters of the fire and the uppermost point of the fire is clear of flammable material
- the fire does not occupy an area in excess of 1 square metre and the size and dimensions of solid fuel used are the minimum necessary for the purpose
- 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
Note that in accordance with the CFA Act, a "properly constructed fireplace" means a fireplace that is constructed of stone, metal, concrete or any other non-flammable material so as to contain the perimeter of the fire. A commercially produced barbecue would be considered a properly constructed fireplace.
- + Commercial Catering
Total Fire Ban
I run a meal preparation business (eg. catering), or am a community/charitable/fundraising or similar organisation. Can I set up and light a fire to operate a barbecue, cooker, hotplate or a spit at outdoor functions?
No unless you have a written permit issued by CFA, MFB or DELWP and you comply with the conditions of that permit.
A community organisation, a charitable organisation or an organisation involved in fundraising (for example, a school or sporting group) may apply for permission to light a fire to prepare meals for other people in the course of their business.
These permits are issued by, and at the discretion of, local CFA district offices, CFA headquarters, MFB district offices, or the Chief Fire Officer of DELWP in Fire Protected Areas. Municipal Fire Prevention Officers cannot issue these permits.
Fire Danger Period
I run a meal preparation business (eg. catering), or am a community/charitable/fundraising or similar organisation. Can I set up and light a fire to operate a barbecue, cooker or hotplate at outdoor functions?
No unless:
- The wind is not more than 10km/h (this can be observed if leaves and small twigs are in constant motion)
- The fire is lit in a properly-constructed fireplace or in a trench at least 30 centimetres deep
- The area within a distance of 3 metres from the outer perimeters and uppermost point of the fire is clear of flammable material
- The fire does not occupy an area of more than 1 square metre and the size and dimensions of fuel used are the minimum necessary for the purpose
- 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
If you cannot meet these conditions you will need to apply for a permit from a CFA District office
- + Solid fuel BBQ
Total Fire Ban
Can I have a spit style rotisserie fired by heat beads, wood or other solid fuel?
No
Solid Fuel barbecues are banned in the open air on Total Fire Ban Days.
Fire Danger Period
Can I have a spit style rotisserie fired by heat beads, wood or other solid fuel?
No unless:
- the wind is not more than 10km/h (this can be observed if leaves and small twigs are in constant motion)
- the fire is lit in a properly-constructed fireplace or in a trench at least 30 centimetres deep
- the area within a distance of 3 metres from the outer perimeter of the fire and the uppermost point of the fire is clear of flammable material
- the fire does not occupy an area in excess of 1 square metre and the size and dimensions of solid fuel used are the minimum necessary for the purpose
- 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
- + Scaring gun
Total Fire Ban
Can I use a gas-powered wildlife scaring gun?
No
Gas-powered scaring guns cannot be used on days of Total Fire Ban.
Fire Danger Period
Can I use a gas-powered wildlife scaring gun?
No unless:
- you have a current Schedule 14 permit and comply with each and every condition.
- + Burning off
Total Fire Ban
Can I light a fire in the open air to burn off grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation?
No
All fires in the open air for burning off grass, scrub, stubble or rubbish are banned during Total Fire Ban Days.
All permits issued by Municipal Fire Prevention Officers are suspended for the duration of any Total Fire Ban Day.
Any existing fires, including those that were allowed under an exemption or permit for the Fire Danger Period, are prohibited and must be completely extinguished before the Total Fire Ban begins.
Fire Danger Period
Can I light a fire in the open air to burn off grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation?
No unless:
- 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 have a written permit issued by a Fire Prevention Officer of a public authority
- 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, or within certain locations or at certain times within their municipalities. Check with the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer.
- + Driving Vehicles
Total Fire Ban
Can I drive a vehicle in places where the vehicle will be in contact with crops, grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation?
No unless:
- the vehicle is fitted with an efficient silencing device (eg. muffler) that takes all of the exhaust from the engine through the silencing device.
This should be avoided wherever possible, as the risk of starting fires is extremely high and the impact of fire on these days may be much greater.
Fire Danger Period
Can I drive a vehicle in places where the vehicle will be in contact with crops, grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation?
No unless:
- the vehicle is fitted with an efficient silencing device (eg. muffler) that takes all of the exhaust from the engine through the silencing device.
You should avoid driving vehicles through dry vegetation in hot and dry conditions, even if it is not a Total Fire Ban Day, because of the risk posed by the hot exhaust system.
- + Chainsaw / Lawn
Total Fire Ban
Can I use a chainsaw, plant or grass trimmer or lawn mower?
This should be avoided wherever possible on Total Fire Ban days because the risk of starting fires is extremely high and the impact of fire on these days may be much greater. If the work is essential, follow the guidelines in the bottom row for the Fire Danger Period.
Note that the spark arrester, the knapsack spray pump and the water fire extinguisher referred to above must comply with the applicable Australian Standards.
Fire Danger Period
Can I use a chainsaw, plant or grass trimmer or lawn mower?
No unless:
- the chainsaw, plant or grass trimmer or lawn mowercomplies with the following when used in vegetation that is not green (that is dry vegetation):
- free from faults and mechanical defects that could cause an outbreak of fire
- fitted with an efficient spark arrester
- have an area of at least 3 metres around the machine cleared of flammable material.
Also, a person must be in attendance at all times the machine is being used, and must carry at least one of the following fire suppression equipment items:
- one knapsack spray pump, in working order, fully charged with water, with a capacity of not less than 9 litres, or
- one water (stored pressure) fire extinguisher, in working order, fully charged with water and maintained at the correct pressure, with a capacity of not less than 9 litres.
Work undertaken in GREEN vegetation is permitted, however CFA suggests maintaining equipment and carrying fire suppression equipment as described above.
- the chainsaw, plant or grass trimmer or lawn mowercomplies with the following when used in vegetation that is not green (that is dry vegetation):
- + Hot work / Bees
Total Fire Ban
Can I carry out:
- welding, grinding, charring, soldering or gas cutting?
- rail maintenance?
- heating bitumen?
- relocating bees using a bee smoker?
- extracting honey using heat or flame?
No
These activities are banned on Total Fire Ban Days.
In limited circumstances, CFA, MFB or DELWP may issue a Section 40 permit on Total Fire Ban Days.
These permits are issued by CFA district offices, CFA headquarters, MFB district or DELWP offices. They cannot be issued by Municipal Fire Prevention Officers.
Find out how to apply for a Section 40 permit.
Fire Danger Period
Can I carry out activities including: welding, grinding, charring, soldering or gas cutting / relocating bees with a bee smoker / extracting honey using heat or flame / rail maintenance / heating bitumen?
No unless:
- a fire-resistant shield or guard is in place to stop sparks, hot metal or slag from the fire
- an area at least 1.5 metres from the operation is clear of flammable material or wetted down sufficiently to prevent the spread of fire
- you have a hose connected to a reticulated water supply or water spray knapsack containing at least 9 litres of water
- all cut-offs and hot materials from the operation are placed in fire-proof containers
- 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.
Download the Guidance for Beekeepers during FDP and TFB Days brochure (pdf 218k) | Word version (doc 176k)
- + Incinerator
Total Fire Ban
Can I use an incinerator?
No - Using an incinerator is banned on Total Fire Ban Days..
Fire Danger Period
Can I use an incinerator?
No unless:
- You check with council about any local laws that might prescribe conditions or restrict or prohibit incinerator use (eg bans on certain days, in certain areas or during certain times)
- And the following requirements are met:
- the fire is effectively restricted within the incinerator
- the wind is not more than 10km/h (this can be observed if leaves and small twigs 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.
- + Farm / Road Machinery
Total Fire Ban
Can I use self-propelled farm machinery, tractors, slashers, earth-moving, excavating or roadmaking machines propelled by a heat engine within 9 metres of any crops, grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation?
This should be avoided wherever possible because the risk of starting fires is extremely high and the impact of fire on these days may be much greater.
If the work is essential, follow the guidelines in the bottom row for Fire Danger Period.
Note that the spark arrester, the knapsack spray pump and the water fire extinguisher referred to above must comply with the applicable Australian Standards.
Fire Danger Period
Can I use self-propelled farm machinery, tractors, slashers, earth-moving, excavating or roadmaking machines propelled by a heat engine within 9 metres of any crops, grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation?
No - unless the machinery:
- is free from faults and mechanical defects that could cause an outbreak of fire
- is fitted with a spark arrester in working order, a turbocharger or exhaust aspirated air cleaner
- carries fire suppression equipment comprising either:
- at least one knapsack spray pump, in working order, fully charged with water, with a capacity of not less than 9 litres, or
- at least one water (stored pressure) fire extinguisher, in working order, fully charged with water and maintained at the correct pressure, with a capacity of not less than 9 litres.
Note that the spark arrester, the knapsack spray pump and the water fire extinguisher referred to above must comply with the applicable Australian Standards.