Once your fire permit is approved, you must follow all permit conditions when lighting and managing the fire. 

Step 1 – review your permit

Read your permit thoroughly, including all printed and handwritten conditions. Permit requirements can vary, so even if you’re an experienced permit holder, always make sure you understand the conditions for your intended burn.  

Step 2 – notify your neighbours

Let your neighbours know that you have been granted a permit and when you will be lighting your fire.  

Step 3 – prepare for your burn

You need to be aware of the weather conditions for the duration of the planned fire, not just at the time of lighting.  

Permit holders should check the weather forecast for the area, including temperature, humidity, and wind strength and direction, prior to lighting the fire to ensure the current and forecast conditions will not be outside those detailed by the Fire Warden on the permit.  

You can also view the Fire Danger Ratings which provides a four-day outlook for predicting fire weather conditions.  

Notify Fire Communications Centre (Firecom) 

Smoke from your fire may cause others to call Triple Zero (000). Firecom is responsible for taking reports of fires. They need to know of planned burns to prevent unnecessary callouts.

You must call Firecom just before you light the fire to avoid being in breach of the permit conditions. The phone number of your local Firecom will be written on your permit by the Fire Warden. 

Notify your local fire brigade  

If any emergencies arise from the fire, your local brigade is likely to be the first to respond. The Fire Warden may also ask you to notify your local brigade as part of the conditions of your permit.  

Notify anyone else the Fire Warden has noted on your permit.  

Step 4 – light up

It is your responsibility to make sure your fire does not affect other persons, properties or the environment.  

Your fire must not become a nuisance or cause health impacts for your neighbours. 

Keep your neighbours in the loop so they can take steps to reduce the impact of your fire. 

If at any time you are concerned about the fire behaviour, act early and call Triple Zero (000). 

Step 5 – manage your fire

You need to supervise the fire for as long as necessary to ensure it doesn’t escape. 

The Permit to Light Fire states: “After burning, the perimeter of the burn must be made safe and the fire patrolled until there is no longer any risk of the fire escaping”. 

You can stop patrolling when the burnt area is cool, with no remaining heat source. 

If your fire escapes from the planned boundaries or gets out of control in any way, you must: 

• Take all reasonable steps to extinguish or control the fire, and 
• Call Triple Zero (000) as soon as practicable. 

Breaches 

Anyone found responsible for lighting fires without a permit where one is required, can be prosecuted. Prosecution can also occur if a person is found responsible for lighting a fire that breaches local laws or the Environmental Protection Act 1994.