Lighting fires in the open – What you need to know
Our brigade area is situated in one of the highest fire risk areas in NSW. No matter what the time of year, if you plan an outdoor fire other than a cooking fire, there are some things you must always do. During the declared Bushfire Danger Period (fire season) there are additional restrictions and requirements.
All year round, you must notify your neighbours and the RFS at least 24 hours before you light a fire in the open.
During the fire season you must also obtain a permit before you light a fire in the open.
If you plan an agricultural burn, there are restrictions on what days you can start your burn.
On a Total Fire Ban (toban) day, you must not light a fire or undertake any activity that could start a fire. Fines and jail terms may apply, especially if a fire escapes and causes damage beyond the property it starts on.
The statutory Bushfire Danger Period is from October 1 to March 31 each year, although these dates may vary depending on local conditions. In our region, these dates are set by the Southern Tablelands Bush Fire Management Committee (BFMC), comprising representatives from a range of groups, and includes some of our nearby brigade captains.
Never leave a fire unattended
If a fire escapes your control, call Triple Zero (000) immediately
so that Emergency Services can respond
to minimise potential damage.
Permits
Throughout the fire season, a permit is required to light any fire in the open other than a cooking fire. Cooking fires are exempt, except on Total Fire Ban (toban) days.
Permits are free. The easiest way to obtain a permit is to click the link below:
Apply for a Permit and Notify the RFS
Permits are valid for a specified period rather than a single day.
All fire permits are automatically suspended on days when the fire danger rating (FDR) is High or above, or a Total Fire Ban is in place (even if the FDR is below High).
Once your application has been submitted, it will be distributed to a brigade permit officer who may choose to visit you before processing the permit. Paper permits can still be issued manually but are likely to require a visit from a brigade permit officer. Please note: if you request a paper permit, the online Notify the RFS form still needs to be submitted.
It is important to remember that the permit may be varied, suspended or cancelled, depending on weather conditions. Permit holders are obliged to check weather and fire ratings prior to lighting a fire.
If you reside outside the Yass River–Nanima brigade area, Yass Fire Control Centre will be able to direct you to your local brigade – phone (02) 6226 3100 (business days only).
Check for a total fire ban
It is your responsibility to check there is no total fire ban in place
before you light a fire. To check, go to:
https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fdr-and-tobans
Agricultural burns
If you are planning an agricultural burn, both the day you start the fire and the following day must be ‘no rating’ days – see Fire Danger Ratings (FDRs).
The following BOM website gives 4-day FDR forecasts. Use the Southern Ranges line – this is the BOM forecast area that includes our region, Southern Tablelands – to check that the first two days of your planned burn have no Fire Danger rating.
http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/forecasts/fire-danger-ratings.shtml
Notifying your neighbours
You need to notify your immediate neighbours – those you share a fence with – when you are planning a fire. A post on social media is not sufficient notification for immediate neighbours but is a good heads-up for those further afield.
Our captain would also appreciate a phone call on (02) 6100 6252 on the morning of your fire.
Fire Danger Ratings (FDRs)
Fire danger risks are notified as Moderate (green), High (yellow), Extreme (orange) or Catastrophic (red) on roadside signs. On days of minimal risk, ‘No Rating’ is issued, indicated by the white strip across the bottom of the left side of the sign.
The FDR for a given day indicates the consequences that could be expected if a fire were to start. No matter how severe the fire conditions, a fire needs an ignition point such as lightning, a spark from construction or farming equipment, a cooking fire, or an act of arson, to start.
See the following two RFS web pages for an explanation of what each rating means and the action the RFS recommends you may need to take, depending on the rating:
• https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fdr-and-tobans (scroll past the map of NSW)
• https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/fire-danger-ratings
Total Fire Ban days (Tobans)
Fires are not permitted on Total Fire Ban days, even if you have a permit.
You are also not permitted to do anything in the open that may cause a fire, including works such as welding, grinding or gas cutting, or other activities that produce a spark or flame. Reconsider activities such as using a tractor or slashing.
There are also restrictions on the use of pizza ovens and electric and gas barbecues on Total Fire Ban days.
For more information on toban day restrictions and possible exemptions, and No Burn Days declared by the EPA, go to https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fdr-and-tobans/total-fire-ban-rules
Heavy Penalties
Under the NSW Rural Fires Act 1997, lighting a fire on a toban day attracts an on-the-spot fine of $2,200. If prosecuted, the person responsible may be fined up to $5,500 and/or sentenced to up to 12 months in jail.
Penalties for a fire that escapes and damages or destroys life, property or the environment can attract much greater fines and jail terms, with maximums of $132,000 and/or 14 years’ jail.
People who sustain losses in an unlawful fire can sue those responsible for compensation.
Checklist
For a handy guide on Standards for Pile Burns see:
https://www.yassriverbfb.org/rescources/Standards-for-Pile-Burning.pdf
For a quick overview of your responsibilities when lighting a fire or undertaking activities that may result in a fire, see
https://yassriverbfb.org/rescources/Lighting-A-Fire-Quick-Facts-A3.pdf
October 2024