Burning Periods and Fire Danger Ratings

Burning periods

Important notes:

• The dates below may be subject to change. Please check with the Shire Administration Centre on 9729 0300.
• When a Total Fire Ban or a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban has been declared it is illegal to carry out any activity that is likely to cause a fire. 

Prohibited and Restricted Burning Periods are declared by the Authority under section 17 and 18 respectively of the Bush Fires Act 1954.

Fire danger ratings

The Fire Danger Rating tells you how dangerous a fire would be if one started.

Ratings are forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology, based on weather and other environmental conditions such as fuel load.

• Catastrophic: Leaving early is the safest option. Homes are not designed to withstand fires in catastrophic conditions.
• Extreme, Severe: Leaving early is the safest option. Only consider staying if you are prepared to the highest level.
• Low-Moderate, High, Very High: Keep yourself informed and be ready to act if necessary.

To view current and forecasted fire danger ratings visit the Bureau of Meteorology website.

Guidance on burning

Burning your garden waste during the restricted period

During the restricted period:

• You can’t burn on Sundays and Public Holidays without a permit to burn.
• You can only burn one pile of garden waste at a time.
• Each pile must not be bigger than 1 cubic metre. Clear 3 metres around the edge of your pile for safety.
• The burn must be lit after 6pm.
• You can add waste to your burn until 11pm as long as the pile does not exceed 1 cubic metre at a time.
• The burn needs to be completely out before midnight.
• Let the people living near you know 72 hours before you burn.
• Stay and attend to your burn until it is extinguished.
• Ensure you have an adequate water supply.

Things to consider before burning

• Check the weather conditions (wind strength, the direction of the wind).
• Ensure sufficient running water is close to hand.
• Use metal fittings on your hoses if possible.
• Consider the impact of smoke on others.
• Keep the burn contained and controlled.
• Make sure the burn is fully extinguished once it’s complete.
• Do not leave the fire unattended.

Do not burn the road verge without written permission from the Shire. Please contact us to discuss.

If you are burning a large area, consider installing a firebreak around the area you intend to burn and ensure you have sufficient people/fire unit to assist you if required.

If the fire becomes uncontrollable call 000 immediately.

What can’t I burn?

Do not burn anything that is toxic such as:

• Plastics.
• Accelerants.
• Wooden pallets.
• Asbestos.
• Building materials.
• Household goods.

More information and contact

For more information about permits to burn and burning off, please contact us.

Related pages

• Permit to burn
• Fire bans
• Fire control contacts
• Bush fire mitigation
• Bush fire preparedness
• Emergency contacts