Check for Total Fire Bans, Fire Permits & Burn Registration requirements in your area

Fire Permit Period – What are the rules?

During periods of increased bushfire risk, a Fire Permit Period will be declared for a Local Government Area (LGA), Region, or for the whole State. This is to coordinate and monitor the use of fire outdoors to reduce risk.

Barbeque

Can I use a barbeque outside for cooking?

NO unless:

  • It is an electric or LPG (Butane or Propane) outdoor cooker or stove.
  • If it is a solid fuel (heat beads, wood, charcoal) barbeque:
    • It complies with any restrictions in Parks
    • It complies with the Environmental Regulations, and Local Government By-Laws.
    • There is a cleared area all the way around the barbeque for at least for three metres (3m). This includes above the barbeque.
    • There is someone always supervising the barbeque.
    • The barbeque is put out completely.

Campfires

Can I light a campfire?

NO unless:

  • It is on your property or you have the permission of the person whose property it is on
  • It complies with any restrictions in Parks
  • It complies with the Environmental Regulations, and Local Government By-Laws.
  • There is a cleared area all the way around the fire for at least for three metres (3m). This includes above the fire.
  • The fire is registered with Tasmania Fire Service by calling 1800 000 699.
  • The fire is no larger than one cubic metre (1m3).
  • There is someone always supervising the fire.
  • The fire is put out completely by soaking it with water, stirring it, and soaking it with water

Incinerators

Can I use an incinerator on my property?

NO unless:

  • It complies with the Environmental Regulations , and Local Government By-Laws.
  • The fire is completely contained inside the incinerator (no sparks, embers, or coals can escape from the incinerator).
  • There is a cleared area all the way around the incinerator for at least for three metres (3m). This includes above the incinerator.
  • There is someone always supervising the incinerator.
  • The fire is put out completely.

Burning off

Can I light a fire outside to burn off grass, weeds, stubble, raked leaves, cleared tree branches or other vegetation?

NO unless :

  • The fire is no larger than one cubic metre (1m3).
  • There is a cleared area all the way around the fire for at least for three metres (3m). This includes above the fire.
  • The fire is registered with Tasmania Fire Service by calling 1800 000 699.
  • There is someone always supervising the fire.
  • The fire is put out completely by soaking it with water, stirring it, and soaking it with water.
  • If the fire is larger than one cubic metre (1m3).
    • You have a Fire Permit issued by Tasmania Fire Service.
    • You comply with all the conditions of the Fire Permit.

To apply for a Fire Permit, call 1800 000 699.

Welding or other hot work

Can I do work that creates sparks outside? (This includes welding, grinding, charring, soldering, and gas cutting.)

NO unless you comply with the Tasmania Fire Service Hot Work Guideline

Machinery operations

Can I do work that creates sparks outside? (This includes welding, grinding, charring, soldering, and gas cutting.)

NO unless you comply with the Tasmania Fire Service Hot Work Guideline

Commerical operations

Can I undertake Forestry Operations or Use Outdoor Ovens?

NO unless you comply with:

Tasmania Fire Service Forest Operations Guideline
Commercial outdoor cooking or catering activities must comply with the Tasmania Fire Service Outdoor Oven Guideline

Total Fire Ban – What are the rules?

Barbeque

Can I use a barbeque outside for cooking?

NO unless:
• It is an electric or LPG (Butane or Propane) outdoor cooker or stove.
• There is a cleared area all the way around the barbeque for at least for one metre (1m). This includes above the barbeque.
• There is someone always supervising the barbeque.

Campfire

Can I light a campfire or bonfire?

NO

Incinerator

Can I use an incinerator on my property?

NO

Burning off

Can I light a fire outside to burn off grass, weeds, stubble, raked leaves, cleared tree branches or other vegetation?

NO

Welding or other hot work

Can I do work that creates sparks outside? (This includes welding, grinding, charring, soldering, and gas cutting.)

NO unless you comply with the Tasmania Fire Service Hot Work Guideline

Machinery operations

Can I do harvesting or slashing or use other machinery outside?

NO unless you comply with Tasmania Fire Service Machinery Operation Guideline

Commercial operations

Can I undertake Forestry Operations or Use Outdoor Ovens?

NO unless you comply with the:

Tasmania Fire Service Forest Operations Guideline

Commercial outdoor cooking or catering activities must comply with the Tasmania Fire Service Outdoor Oven Guideline

Fire Hazard Abatement

In preparation for summer, you should ensure that flammable materials such as overgrown grass, vegetation, weeds, scrub, rubbish or any other flammable material which is likely to cause or increase the effects of a fire is reduced or removed from your property.

Under the Local Government Act 1993, one of Council’s functions is to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the community. Under the Act Council is required to take action to abate nuisances, which includes anything that is, or is likely to be, a fire risk.

Fire Risk is defined as anything that an Authorised Council Officer is satisfied may pose, or is likely to pose, a risk of causing or exacerbating the effects of a fire.

Authorised Council Officers are trained by the Tasmania Fire Service on how to recognise and abate fire hazards. They will inspect all properties where a fire risk concern is raised and will issue a Fire Hazard Abatement Notice to the owners of any property on which it is satisfied a fire risk exists.

If you have concerns about a potential fire hazard, please let Council know by

What is on a Fire Hazard Abatement Notice?

All Fire Hazard Abatement Notices will comply with the requirements of section 200 of the Local Government Act 1993.

A notice will state:

  • The nature of the nuisance
  • The action required to abate (resolve) the nuisance
  • The timeframe within which the action is to be completed
  • The person or persons responsible for ensuring the action is completed
  • That Council may act under section 201 of the Act if the abatement notice is not complied with

Why do Councils Issue Fire Hazard Abatement Notices?

Under the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act) one of Council’s functions is to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the community. Under the Act Council is required to take action to abate nuisances, which includes anything that is, or is likely to be, a fire risk.

Fire Risk is defined as anything that an Authorised Council Officer is satisfied may pose, or is likely to pose, a risk of causing or exacerbating the effects of a fire. This may include (but is not limited to) overgrown grass, vegetation, weeds or scrub, the presence of rubbish or flammable material on a property or the proximity of a property to bushland.

How does Council Assess a Fire Hazard?

Authorised Council Officers will inspect all properties where community concerns of potential fire risks are raised.

Considerations when assessing fire risk may include:

  • The amount, density and type of vegetation, and whether or not it has been maintained.
  • The amount and type of other materials stored on the property, which may serve as fuel for a fire.
  • The location of the property and the characteristics of surrounding properties, including the level of risk posed to surrounding properties and life.
  • Past weather conditions, future weather predictions and current soil moisture content.
  • Topography, access and accessibility of the property.

Council will issue a Fire Hazard Abatement Notice to the owners of any property on which it is satisfied a fire risk exists.

It’s My Property, Why Can’t I Decide What is a Fire Risk and What Isn’t?

Property owners may determine for themselves how to manage their properties up to the point where it becomes a fire risk to their neighbours. Authorised Council Officers are trained by the Tasmanian Fire Service on how to recognise and abate fire hazards.

I Think There is a Fire Hazard on Someone Else’s Property – What do I do?

If you are concerned there may be a fire hazard on a property that presents an immediate risk to life or property, please let Council know by:

What if an Abatement Notice is Not Complied With?

Where a property owner fails to comply with a Fire Hazard Abatement Notice within the specified timeframe Council will undertake the works.

If Council acts to rectify the Abatement Notice the property owner will be charged an administration fee, plus the cost of the contractor and may be issued with an infringement notice for failing to comply with an abatement notice.

I Received a Notice and I’m Not Sure What it Requires Me to Do?

Phone the Huon Valley Council on (03) 6264 0300 for advice.

Can Council Recommend Anyone to Do the Work for Me?

Council can provide you with a list of suitable private contractors for hazard clearing works in your area.

I’m Not Going to be Able to Fix my Hazard in Time – What Do I Do?

You will need to contact Council before the deadline on the abatement notice and request an extension of time. Each case will be assessed according to the circumstances.

What Can I Do to Help?

  1. Create a Bushfire Plan and talk about bushfire preparedness with your family, friends and neighbours. For more information visit the Bushfire: Why Risk It? website.
  2. Prepare your property. Know your bushfire risk and proactively maintain a fire hazard management area around your house.
  3. Form a Bushfire-Ready Neighbourhood Group and know your Community Protection Plan. Talk with your neighbours and community to establish a telephone tree/email list, organise community working bees, work together to plan a shared response to bushfire threat and share information and resources.
  4. Visit the Tasmania Fire Service website for more information on community and bushfire safety.

Also in Emergency Management Hub