Property owners must take reasonable steps to protect their land from fire and to prevent or inhibit the outbreak of fire on the land, or the spread of fire through the land. The reduction of fuel and the appropriate management of on site vegetation (grass, tree cuttings or litter etc) are the best methods to minimise the potential for a fire.

Fire Danger Season / Fire Permits

Please note that the Fire Danger Season in the Murraylands region starts 1 November.

During the prescribed Fire Danger Season it is prohibited to burn, however Schedule 9 permits MAY BE ISSUED from the 1 March, in accordance with the MMBMA Permit Issuing Guidelines.

Link to the guidelines - MMBMA Permit issuing guidelines 2021 Final signed as at 9 dec20.pdf

During the Fire Danger Season almost all fires open require permits, below is a list of the following exceptions to this other than on a Total Fire Ban day include:

• A campfire for personal warmth or cooking purposes provided the fire is contained in portable cooking appliance or a trench 30cm deep and the fire does not occupy an area exceeding 1 square metre and there is a four metre clearance of flammable vegetation around the fire.
• Gas or Electric cooking appliances
• Electric welders, mechanical cutting tools and gas equipment such as oxy equipment.

Please contact Council for further information 08 8578 1004

Fire Bans

On days of extreme weather conditions Fire Bans may be declared for various areas in the State. To determine whether a fire ban has been imposed, phone the CFS hotline on 1800 362 361 or visit the CFS website.

Total Fire Ban Days

All fires are prohibited on a Total Fire Ban day unless a Schedule 10 permit has been issued. However these permits will only be issued in special circumstances. Note: Electric welders, mechanical cutting tools and gas equipment require a permit before they can be used in the open on a day of total fire ban.

Cooking or heating Appliances

The operation of gas fire or electric elements in the open is subject to the following conditions;

1. Use within 15m of a domestic or commercial premises
2. The space immediately around or above the gas fire or electric element must be cleared of all flammable material for a distance of four metres.
3. A person who is able to control the gas fire or electric element must be present at all times while it is lighted or charged.
4. An appropriate agent adequate to extinguish any fire must be at hand.