You may need this permit if you intend to light a fire on your property for purposes such as clearing land or creating fire breaks. The permit is designed to ensure that the fire is managed safely and can impose conditions on the way a fire is lit and maintained. Depending on which fire district you live in, permits are issued by either Fire and Rescue NSW or NSW Rural Fire Service.
Whether you need a permit depends on the nature of your activities, such as if the proposed fire:
- may be dangerous to a building
- will be lit during a bush fire danger period (approximately 1 October to 31 March).
If the proposed fire is for heating or cooking purposes and meets certain conditions, this permit is not required. Conditions include that the fire is:
- in a permanently constructed fireplace
- lit on a site surrounded by a minimum of two metres cleared ground
- completely extinguished before leaving.
Please note that even with this permit there are certain days that you cannot light a fire, such as when a Total Fire Ban is in force.
