Fire Restrictions
- Prohibited Period
- Fire Danger Period
- When do I need a Permit?
- Total Fire Bans
- Applying for Permit for a Total Fire Ban Day
“Fire restrictions" are a set of rules governing the use of fire and activities that may cause bushfire.
Approximately 75% of bushfires that occur in State forests and National Parks each year are a result of human activity. One way to help reduce the number of bushfires on both public and private land is to restrict the use of fire and to restrict any other activities that can cause bushfires during periods of high risk.
Restrictions are increased as bushfire danger increases. When they come into force, restrictions apply to lighting fires and to activities that may cause fire (e.g. welding).
Two types of seasonal restrictions may apply in the Country Area of Victoria;
- the "Prohibited Period" applies on public land (e.g. state forests and National Parks) and some adjoining private lands in Gippsland and north east Victoria. You may require a written permit - check with your local DEPI office.
- the "Fire Danger Period" applies to all other land in the Country Area of Victoria
Prohibited Period
Declaring a Prohibited Period is an important bushfire prevention tool for DEPI.A Prohibited Period applies the whole year in Victoria's State forests, National parks and protected public lands.
A seasonal Prohibited Period may also be declared to apply to all lands (e.g. private, municipal, other) within 1.5 km of State forest, National Parks and protected public land, in 14 municipalities and three Alpine Resorts in eastern Victoria (see table below). The table lists the Prohibited Period commencement and termination dates. Prohibited Periods commence and terminate at 1.00am on the dates indicated.
Check this page regularly during summer and autumn for new restrictions or variations. Notices are also published in local newspapers.
| North East Victoria |
Prohibited Period commences |
Prohibited Period terminates |
|---|---|---|
| Alpine Shire |
10 December 2012 | 8 April 2013 |
| Benalla Rural City |
3 December 2012 |
8 April 2013 |
| Indigo Shire |
3 December 2012 | 8 April 2013 |
| Mansfield Shire |
3 December 2012 | 8 April 2013 |
| Mitchell Shire |
3 December 2012 | 15 April 2013 |
| Murrindindi Shire |
3 December 2012 | 15 April 2013 |
| Strathbogie Shire |
3 December 2012 | 8 April 2013 |
| Towong Shire |
10 December 2012 |
8 April 2013 |
| Wangaratta Rural City |
3 December 2012 | 8 April 2013 |
| Wodonga City |
3 December 2012 | 8 April 2013 |
| Gippsland |
||
| Baw Baw Shire |
7 January 2013 |
15 April 2013 |
| East Gippsland Shire |
17 December 2012 |
15 April 2013 |
| Latrobe City |
17 December 2012 | 15 April 2013 |
| Wellington Shire |
17 December 2012 | 15 April 2013 |
| Alpine Resorts |
||
| Falls Creek |
10 December 2012 | 8 April 2013 |
| Mt Buller |
3 December 2012 | 8 April 2013 |
| Mt Hotham |
10 December 2012 | 8 April 2013 |
Fire Danger Period
The Fire Danger period is introduced and terminated by the Country Fire Authority (CFA). It applies to all other land in the Country Area of Victoria. See the CFA website for the list of municipalities subject to the CFA Fire Danger Period restrictions.
When do I need a permit?
When the Fire Restrictions are in force, fires in the open air may only be lit or used under the following circumstances:
Within any State forest or National park, the lighting or use of fires is prohibited at all times of the year, except for:
- Campfires which may be lit subject to the campfire regulations
- Other fires which are authorised by a permit issued by the Department of Environment and Primary Industries.
- Campfires may be lit subject to the campfire regulations
- All other fires are not permitted unless you have a permit issued by the Department of Environment and Primary Industries
- Campfires may be lit subject to the campfire regulations
- All other fires are not permitted unless you have a permit issued by CFA or a Municipal Fire Prevention Officer
Please note: The lighting or use of all fires in the open air on days of Total Fire Ban is prohibited except as indicated on the CFA website. If in doubt, keep your campfire out.
Further details on the Forests (Fire Protection) Regulations 2004 which cover State forests, National parks and other public land, together with other fire related statutes, can be sourced from the Victorian Government’s Legislation website in the section 'Victorian Law Today'.
Total Fire Bans
For information on current Total Fire Bans visit the CFA website or contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667. Deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment can contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Line via the National Relay Service on 1800 555 677.
Total Fire Bans are declared by CFA for one or more of Victoria's nine fire ban districts, when the predicted danger of fires occurring is very high and when fires would be expected to develop rapidly and be extremely difficult to control. Total Fire Ban declarations can be made (or revoked) at any time and are announced through all major media.
On Total Fire Ban days:
- Campfires or open flame barbecues may only be used as indicated on the CFA website.
- No liquid fuel or gas appliance - in the open, in a tent, annexe or tent like trailer may be used; except as indicated on the CFA website.
- Appliances in a caravan or caravan-type trailer may be used provided the appliance is attended at all times and remains within the caravan.
- Some parks provide built-in electric or gas barbecues. These can be used provided a water supply is within 10 metres, the barbecue is clear of all flammable material three metres around it and an adult is present.
- Portable gas/electric barbecues or stoves may only be used where they are within 20 metres of a permanent dwelling, the area for 3 metres around and above the barbecue is completely cleared of all flammable material, an adult is in attendance at all times, a tap with a hose connected is ready for use and at least 10 litres of water is on hand.
- Only persons with Total Fire Ban Permits issued by the Chief Fire Officer DEPI or Chief Officer CFA have a conditional exemption from the Ban.
- If in doubt, keep your campfire out.
Applying for a permit to light a fire in the open on a day of Total Fire Ban
Fire Permit Application Form for Fire Protected Area
[PDF File - 82.9 KB]
Under Section 40 of the Country Fire Authority Act 1958, permits may be issued for essential work purposes on days of Total Fire Ban. Companies or businesses may apply for permits for essential works. Individuals cannot obtain Section 40 Permits.
Permits may be issued for the following activities:
- Welding, cutting and/or grinding
- Heating and spreading of bitumen and like substances
- Use blow lamps or gas torches
- Use of a safety fuse in blasting operations
- Use of emergency flares at civil and military aerodromes
- Use of a flare at a petroleum fractionation plant, a gas plant or any plant of a like nature
- Industrial heat testing
- Use of fire for loading, unloading or working bees (apiarists)
- Use of a fire in the open air on a day of Total Fire Ban for the cooking of food by a caterer
- Light a fire for the purpose of Public Entertainment (e.g. fire works)
- Sawmill waste and refuse burners
- Use of LPG burners for Hot Air Ballooning
These permits will only apply for public land in Victoria within the Forests Act 1958 ‘fire protected area’. This is land for which the Secretary, Department of Environment and Primary Industries has fire protection responsibilities.
For other areas the permit must be applied for through the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFB) or the Country Fire Authority (CFA), whichever organisation is applicable.
These permits are not automatically granted and if granted the user must abide by strict conditions that are set out on the permit. If these conditions are not followed, the permit can be revoked and the permit holder may be to subject criminal charges.
Applicants need also be aware that a permit may be revoked under the direction of a DEPI Authorised Officer where conditions of extreme fire danger are predicted or are present.
Charitable organisations may apply for a catering permit for fundraising purposes, food handling permits from the relevant local council must be gained first.
Section 40 Permits for DEPI’s ‘fire protected area’, for specific areas and for statewide use, must be approved by the Chief Fire Officer, Department of Environment and Primary Industries.
Applications should be directed to:
Chief Fire Officer DEPI
PO Box 500
East Melbourne
Vic 3002