Fire Danger Period & Total Fire Ban tip 1 - Burning off

A lot of people know that you are not able to burn off during a Total Fire Ban day but are completely unaware of the burning off restrictions in force during the Fire Danger Period.

Lets run through the facts of Fire Danger Period and Total Fire Ban burning off restrictions.

Can I light a fire in the open air to burn off grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation during the Fire Danger Period?

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.

If you do hold a permit to burn off during the Fire Danger Period you must:

• Comply with all conditions of that permit;

• Have a person is in attendance at all times while the fire is alight and has the capacity and means to extinguish the fire;

• Completely extinguish the fire before the person leaves.

Many councils ban burning off on certain days, or within certain locations or at certain times within their municipalities. Always check with the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer to confirm your municipalities specific burning off restrictions.

Can I light a fire in the open air to burn off grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation on a Total Fire Ban Day?

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.

Failing to comply with either Total Fire Ban or Fire Danger Period burning off restrictions may lead to significant penalties being applied.