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Fire Restrictions

Approximately 460, or 75%, of the bushfires that occur in State forests and National Parks each year are a result of human activity. Most bushfires on private land are also caused by people. 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. When these periods are declared they are usually referred to as Fire Restrictions.

What is the difference between the Prohibited Period and the Fire Danger Period?

'Fire restrictions' is the commonly used term for the 'Prohibited Period' and the 'Fire Danger Period'. The restrictions are usually introduced at the end of the year and terminated mid year, with notices published in local newspapers.

Prohibited Period
Is introduced and terminated by the Department of Sustainability and Environment. It applies to those lands within 1.5 km of State forest and national parks in the municipalities listed in the Prohibited Period Table below. The Prohibited Period is enforced all year round in State forests, National parks and protected public land.

Fire Danger Period
Is introduced and terminated by the Country Fire Authority. 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 Sustainability and Environment.
On any land within 1.5 km of any State forests or National Parks in the municipalities listed below:
  • 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 Sustainability and Environment
On any other land in the country area of Victoria:
  • 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. 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'.

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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 (or TTY 1800 122 969).

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:

  • No campfires or open flame barbecues may be used. This includes gas and kettle/webber-style barbecues and solid fuel camp ovens.
  • No liquid fuel or gas appliance - in the open, in a tent, annexe or tent like trailer may be used.
  • 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 DSE 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 Sustainability and Environment has fire protection responsibilities.

For other areas the permit must be applied for through the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board or the Country Fire Authority (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 DSE 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 DSE’s ‘fire protected area’, for specific areas and for statewide use, must be approved by the Chief Fire Officer, Department of Sustainability and Environment.

Applications should be directed to:

Chief Fire Officer DSE
PO Box 500
East Melbourne
Vic 3002

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Prohibited Period table

The following table will list the introduction dates for the Prohibited Period in 14 Victorian municipalities when the dates are officially declared.

The prohibited period commences at 1.00am on the introduction date as indicated below. The prohibited period ends at 1.00am on the termination date of 1 May 2012, unless varied.

 

 Prohibited Period 2011 - Prohibited period 2012 (Forests Act 1958)
 North East DSE Region
  Gippsland DSE Region
Municipality Introduced Terminated Municipality Introduced
Terminated
Alpine Shire 19 December 2011 13 March 2012 Shire of East Gippsland 26 December 2011
 1 May 2012
Murrindindi Shire Council 5 December 2011 13 March 2012 Shire of Latrobe 26 December 2011
 1 May 2012
Shire of Towong 19 December 2011
 13 March 2012 Shire of Baw Baw 23 January 2012
 1 May 2012
Rural City of Wangaratta 5 December 2011 13 March 2012
Shire of Benalla Rural City 5 December 2011 13 March 2012
Shire of Mansfield 5 December 2011 13 March 2012
Wodonga City Council
 5 December 2011 13 March 2012
Shire of Mitchell 5 December 2011 13 March 2012
Strathbogie Shire Council 5 December 2011
 1 May 2012
 Shire of Indigo
  5 December 2011
 13 March 2012
      

 
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