The information follwing on this page has been drawn from the CFS
Publication
Wildfire Regulations
. You may obtain a copy of the brochure from your nearest Council Office or
CFS Regional Office. While this information is believed to be correct,
varying seasonal conditions may mean that Fire Ban Districts and their
effective Fire Ban dates are liable to change. Please seek up to date advice
before lighting a fire in the Fire Danger Season from your local Council Fire
Prevention Officer, or contact the CFS Fire Ban Hotline on
1300 362 361
or visit the information pages on the
CFS website
. Please also read the
disclaimer
.
Contents
During The Fire Danger Season fire restrictions apply throughout the whole
State including metropolitan Adelaide. Exact dates of the Fire Danger Season
for each district vary between districts and are subject to varying seaonal
conditions. Up to date information can be obtained from your local Council
Fire Prevention Officer or by contacting the CFS Fire Ban Hotline on
1300 362 361
.
During the Fire Danger Season, you must apply for a permit to use fire outdoors
at any time. There are some exceptions, notably barbecues, campfires,
incinerators and some industrial processes such as gas and electric welding.
If you have any doubt about lighting any fire during the Fire Danger Season use
the CFS Fire Bans Hotline to seek advice. The penalties for illegally
lighting a fire are very severe. You face the possibility of incurring a fine
of up to A$8000 or imprisonment for up to two (2) years.
On days when extreme weather conditions (high wind and high temperature) could
cause fires to become uncontrollable, Total Fire Bans may be declared in some
fire ban districts or even across the whole State. These bans will apply for
24 hours from midnight to midnight the following day. They are broadcast on
radio and television from 6.00 pm. If in doubt check on the CFS Fire Bans
Hotline.
Be Aware that if extreme weather conditions develop suddenly, a Total Fire Ban
could be announced as late as 7.00 am on the morning of the ban. Total Fire
Bans may also be removed at 7.00 am, where weather conditions have moderated
considerably. Both situations would be broadcast on radio and the CFS Fire
Bans Hotline.
Throughout the Fire Danger Season if a Total Fire Ban has not been declared,
you may use any barbecue or campfire for cooking or warmth but there are
conditions that you must follow. The fire must be contained in a barbecue or
cooker, a properly constructed fire place or a three-hundred (300) millimetre
deep trench, not more than one (1) square metre in area. As well, you must
have cleared away all flammable material for a four (4) metre space around and
above it. While it is alight you must also stay with the fire and have with
you sufficient water or other appropriate extinguishing agent to be able to put
the fire out.
ON A TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY
The only fires you can use outside on a Total Fire Ban Day for cooking are gas
stoves or kettles, gas barbecues and electric barbecues or stoves. Even these
can only be used within fifteen (15) metres of a dwelling or on coastal
foreshore in a four (4) metre cleared area with a responsible person in
attendance at all times and water or other extinguishing agent on hand. All
campfires are banned.
Some Councils also allow gas or electric barbecues to be used in caravan parks
or cleared picnic areas on Total Fire Ban Days. Look for the signs or notice
boards, or contact the Council office for advice.
A permit is required to burn rubbish or garden refuse on the ground during the
Fire Danger Season. Rubbish can be burnt, but only in a properly constructed
incinerator. The area around and above the incinerator must be cleared for
four (4) metres, and the fire lit only when there is no Total Fire Ban. The
incinerator must be attended while it is alight by a person able to control the
fire, with enough water available to readily extinguish the fire. Whenever an
incinerator is used, keep all doors or openings closed and keep screens and
guards in place.
ON TOTAL FIRE BAN DAYS
The lighting of incinerators is banned and they must not be lit during the
period of the ban.
BURNING ON DOMESTIC PREMISES/NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES
The lighting of fires is also governed by the Environment Protection (Burning)
Policy 1994. Be aware that some Councils have totally prohibited the use of
incinerators and open fires for waste disposal on domestic premises. Contact
your local Council for more details.
A permit to light a fire in the Fire Danger Season is required when any burning
off is undertaken and when any fire is lit on the ground. In addition, the use
of any other fires not covered by exemptions will require the issue of a
permit. The fires which do not require a permit are, in general terms, fires
used for cooking and personal comfort, fires in incinerators, gas fired
appliances for cooking purposes, gas or electric welding equipment and gas
fires used for other purposes provided they are lit in accordance with the
conditions applying to their use.
If in doubt as to the need for a permit - seek advice from you Local Council,
Council Fire Prevention Officer or from the CFS Fire Bans Hotline.
Your own District Bushfire Prevention Committee has set the conditions which
must be adhered to, when lighting a fire under permit.
A permit may be obtained from the local Authorised Officer. Advice as to who
these persons are, can be obtained from your Council office. A permit may be
requested and issued personally, or over the telephone or radio. The
Authorised Officer will inform you of a permit number and the conditions
included in the permit. The Authorised Officer will subsequently send you a
copy of the permit. There is simply no excuse for not obtaining a permit if
one is required.
The conditions under which the permit is issued must be complied with
. These conditions may vary from area to area dependent upon the time of the
year and seasonal conditions. Should there be any difficulty in obtaining a
permit, please contact you local Council, nearest CFS Brigade, or your
CFS Regional Office. The telephone numbers of these Regional Offices are
listed in the white pages.
Any machine powered by an internal combustion engine when used in the open
during the Fire Danger Season may only be operated after taking specific
precautions, they can then be used on any day including a Total Fire Ban Day.
Firstly, all engines must have an efficient spark arrester fitted to the
exhaust pipe. Then, if using a tractor, self propelled header, or truck to
harvest or transport a flammable crop including hay bales, or spread fertiliser
or lime on any property the vehicle must carry a knapsack spray or water
extinguisher and a rake or shovel.
If using any form of mower or slasher, a chain saw, brush cutter or edger, you
must first have either cleared a four (4) metre area of all flammable material
right around the area to be cut, or have on hand a knapsack or water
extinguisher and a rake or shovel.
When using a stationary engine, if no-one is present while it is operating, the
area around it must be cleared of all flammable material for a distance of four
(4) metres. If an operator is present when the engine is in use, they must have
available a knapsack or water extinguisher and a rake or shovel.
Observe the local codes of practice for grain harvesting operations and stubble
slashing during the Fire Danger Season.
WELDERS AND OTHER TOOLS
Electric welders, mechanical cutting tools, oxy welders and other gas fired
appliances can only be used outdoors when there is no Total Fire Ban in force.
Even then there must be the four (4) metre cleared space around them and the
operator must have a knapsack or water extinguisher on hand.
If in doubt about operating any equipment that produces heat which may start a
fire, seek advice from the CFS Fire Bans Hotline or your Council Fire
Prevention Officer.
Disclaimer
© Copyright 1998 Montacute CFS
URL: http://users.senet.com.au/~dstrebil/mont_cfs/firebaninfo.html
Last Updated: 08/07/2000
Please send any corrections, comments or complaints to the
Administration Officer
