Are the warm summer nights tempting you to spark up your charcoal barbecue or gather around a fire pit? Or maybe you’re thinking it’s a good time to clear and burn some vegetation in the backyard?
Perhaps think twice. Not only is burning garden waste out in the open prohibited in some council areas,1 lighting a backyard fire pit or a wood-fire pizza oven on the wrong day can attract a hefty fine due to the potential fire danger it poses.2
“While barbecues and pizza ovens may seem safer, they still pose fire risks, especially on high fire danger days,” says Alison May, Director Community Risk and Resilience at the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS).
“The heat and sparks generated can ignite dry grass or other combustibles nearby.”
Solid fuels, including wood, charcoal and heat beads,2 can also create embers that get carried by the wind, leading to spot fires.3
“It’s essential to use these appliances with caution and adhere to any fire bans in place, as the risk of a fire spreading remains, regardless of the perceived safety of the activity,” says Alison.
What’s the fire danger if I don’t live in a high-risk area?
No matter where you live, it’s important to remain cautious when lighting outdoor fires.
“Fires can spread quickly, not just through vegetation but also via embers that can ignite nearby structures, fences or other combustible materials,” says Alison.
“High-density living often means homes are closer together, increasing the risk of fire spreading to neighbouring properties. So even in high-density suburban areas, fire safety rules still apply.”
In fact, while some areas in Australia are particularly prone to bushfires, you don’t have to live right near the bush to be at risk.4
Veteran firefighter Jim Smith explains, “You might not think so, but bushfires can pose a threat to suburban homes.” He adds that the primary danger comes from embers carried by nearby fires.
“There are two main types of embers,” says Jim. “A long ember attack, which can be from fires up to 30 kilometres away, and a short ember attack, which could be a very close bushfire within 500 metres.”
So, is an outdoor fire allowed at your place?
Even outside of bushfire season, this can depend on where you live for some types of fires. For example, in some council areas, local laws mean no one can burn green waste in their backyard at any time of the year.1
In other council areas, there are no restrictions on backyard vegetation burns - others allow burns but require council approval and possibly a permit from the local fire service.5 It might be worth checking with your local council and fire service before striking that match.
What about a fire pit?
Backyard fire pits are a popular garden feature but they are subject to local laws.
Some councils have rules around the type of fuel you can burn,6 while others only allow above-ground fire pits as long as the smoke produced doesn’t impact neighbours.1
Your local council will have information on what the rules are at your address.
Can I build a fire in the backyard today?
Even if you can usually light a fire pit or another type of fire in the backyard, the rules may shift during bushfire season, the timing of which varies across the states and territories. For example, the bushfire season officially runs from October to March in New South Wales,7 but can begin as early as July in Far North Queensland8 and may not end until May in some parts of Victoria.9
When it’s bushfire season, some types of fires may only be allowed under certain circumstances10 and you may need a permit for others.11
Things change again on total fire ban days. Generally speaking, a total fire ban means you can’t light any type of fire out in the open, including a barbecue or pizza oven that uses solid fuel.2
The following links may help you understand what you can and can’t do during bushfire season and on total fire ban days, depending on where you live.
In Queensland:
You can check whether any fire bans or restrictions apply at your address12 and learn about outdoor fire safety, including what to be aware of if there’s a ban in place.13
In New South Wales:
Fire danger ratings and total fire bans are listed on the NSW Rural Fire Service website14 and you can also learn about total fire ban rules in NSW.2
In the Australian Capital Territory:
Visit the ACT Emergency Services Agency website15 for fire danger ratings, forecasts and the rules when a total fire ban is in place.16
In Victoria:
Check for fire danger ratings and total fire bans on Victoria’s Country Fire Authority’s website17 and discover what you can and can’t do during the declared fire danger period and on total fire ban days.10
In Tasmania:
The Tasmania Fire Service lists fire-related restrictions and bans on its website18 as well as the rules that apply during fire permit periods and total fire bans.19
In South Australia:
The SA CFS publishes fire danger ratings and total fire bans on its website20 and shares the restrictions that apply during fire danger season and on total fire ban days.11
In Western Australia:
There are a few different ways to check if there’s a total fire ban in place21 and these frequently asked questions will help you understand what you can and can’t do if there is.22
In the Northern Territory:
Fire ban information is listed on the SecureNT website23 and the state government provides information around what you can and can’t do during a fire danger period or fire ban.24
For more tips to help you prepare for the bushfire season, visit our you.prepared emergency content hub.
Jim Smith
Jim Smith is an active Rural Fire Service volunteer and former Deputy Commissioner for Fire and Rescue NSW. Jim served as NSW State Emergency Service Commissioner and is a recipient of the Australian Fire Service Medal (2008) and the NSW State Emergency Services Commissioner’s Commendation for Service (2015). He is General Manager of workplace mental health consultancy Ordinary Courage, and volunteers as a solicitor with Youth Law Australia. Youi is proud to partner with Jim in the creation of this bushfire preparedness content.
The content in this article has been prepared based on current government and emergency services guidelines and expert advice provided at the time of publishing. This information is subject to change. Please be sure to check for the latest information and always consider your personal circumstances regarding bushfire preparedness and response.
Where you have increased your cover or reduced your excess within 72 hours (or other period noted on your policy schedule) of a flood, storm, hail or bushfire occurring, cover will be limited to the amount that was effective prior to the change. Loss, damage or legal liability caused by, resulting or arising from flood, storm, hail or bushfire during the first 72 hours (or other period noted on your policy schedule) of your policy first being purchased is excluded unless certain conditions apply. Refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement for full T&Cs.
1 Source: Brisbane City Council – Backyard burning, braziers and fire pits, September 2024
2 Source: NSW Rural Fire Service – Total Fire Ban rules
3 Source: UNSW Bushfire – Ember Storms explained
4 Source: NSW Rural Fire Service – Know your risk
5 Source: NSW EPA – Open burning – reducing air pollution from fires
6 Source: SA EPA – Know South Australia’s Laws for Burning in the Open
7 Source: NSW Government – Warm summer predicted as bush fire season officially commences, September 2024
8 Source: Qld Government – When is fire season in Queensland?, February 2024
9 Source: CFA Victoria– Fire Restriction Dates
10 Source: CFA Victoria – Can I or Can’t I?
11 Source: SA CFS – What can I do/What can’t I do?
12 Source: Qld Fire Department – Fire Bans & Restrictions
13 Source: Qld Fire Department – Outdoor fire safety
14 Source: NSW Rural Fire Service – Fire danger ratings and total fire bans in NSW
15 Source: ACT Emergency Services Agency – Incident Updates
16 Source: ACT Emergency Services Agency – Total Fire Bans
17 Source: CFA Victoria – Total Fire Bans & Fire Danger Ratings
18 Source: Tas Fire Service – Total Fire Bans, Fire Permits & Burn Registrations
19 Source: Tas Fire Service – Rules during Fire Permit Periods and Total Fire Bans
20 Source: SA CFS – Fire danger ratings
21 Source: Government of WA Department of Fire & Emergency Services – How do I check if there’s a Total Fire Ban in place?
22 Source: Government of WA Department of Fire & Emergency Services – Total Fire Ban Frequently Asked Questions
23 Source: NT Government SecureNT – Bushfires alerts
24 Source: NT Government – Fire bans and fire danger periods
