Fire Prevention

The Fire Danger Season usually runs from December through to April, though these dates may vary based on seasonal conditions. Each year, the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) sets the Fire Danger Season dates for each region, including the Adelaide Metropolitan area.

The official dates for the Fire Danger Season are available on the CFS website: Fire Danger Season dates & permits - CFS

Stay informed and help keep our community safe during fire danger season!

Under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005, the City of Marion ensures that landowners fulfill their obligations under Section 105F of the Act. Landowners are required to take reasonable steps to prevent fires and protect both their property and nearby properties from the risk of fire.

Landowners must regularly:

• Clear and maintain vacant land, keeping it free from excessive and overgrown vegetation during the Fire Danger Season.

Prior to the start of the Fire Danger Season, the City of Marion sends letters to owners of vacant land, reminding them of their responsibilities to clear their properties. Fire Prevention Officers will inspect vacant land to ensure compliance with the Act.

Owners of private land must take all reasonable steps to:

• Prevent or inhibit the outbreak of fire on their property.
• Prevent or inhibit the spread of fire through their property.
• Protect property on the land from fire.
• Minimise the threat to human life from a fire on their property.

If these obligations are not met, the City of Marion may issue a formal notice under Section 105 of the Fire and Emergency Services Act, requiring specific actions to bring the property into compliance.

Useful Links:

• CFS Fire Danger Season Information
• Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005 (legislation.sa.gov.au)
• South Australian Country Fire Service - professional fire and rescue services to outer metropolitan, regional and rural South Australia. (cfs.sa.gov.au)

Additional resources on fire safety and compliance can be found through the City of Marion website or by contacting our Fire Prevention team directly.

Stay vigilant and proactive to protect yourself, your property, and the community during fire danger season!

The City of Marion conducts inspections of all vacant land within its boundaries prior to the start of the Fire Danger Season. These inspections are carried out by Fire Prevention Officers to assess any potential risk of fire outbreak or spread.

If a risk is Identified:

• The landowner may receive a formal order under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005, requiring them to take specific actions to reduce fire risk.
• If the required actions are not taken by the landowner, the City of Marion will step in to complete the necessary work, and all associated costs will be billed to the landowner.
• Non-compliance may also result in an expiation notice (fine) being issued.

The City of Marion has the authority under the Fire and Emergency Services Act to take any necessary actions, including issuing legal orders and recovering all related costs (including legal fees) from the property owner if they fail to meet the requirements of the Act.

Wood smoke from open burning can affect people's health, harm the environment, and contribute to poor air quality across South Australia.

Fire ban regulations

Open fires and barbecues are subject to strict fire ban regulations, particularly during the fire danger season. These restrictions are in place to protect public safety and reduce the risk of fires spreading.

Air quality policy

The Environment Protection (Air Quality) Policy 2016 Environment Protection (Air Quality) Policy 2016 has been established to allow residents to enjoy outdoor activities, such as barbecues and fires in winter, while minimizing the impact of wood smoke on the community.

Under this policy, open burning is permitted in metropolitan Adelaide for specific purposes, including:

For more information on what is permitted and restricted during Fire Danger Season, please click here to visit the CFS website.

Fires are allowed if they are used exclusively for preparing food and beverages or for heating liquids. These fires must use only charcoal, dried untreated and unpainted timber and must not create a smoke or ash nuisance.

During Fire Danger Season, the following additional requirements apply:

• Maintain a 4-meter clearance around and above the fire.
• Ensure a responsible person is present at the site who can control the fire until it is fully extinguished.
• Keep an appropriate fire extinguisher on hand.

Please click here for information regarding what you can and cannot do during the Fire Danger Season and on Total Fire Ban days, through the CFS.

CFS Fact Sheet - What can I do and what can't I do

Backyard burning of refuse is prohibited in all metropolitan council areas.

In built-up areas, only charcoal may be used for burning, and fires must not exceed 1 square meter in size. Burning must not create smoke that causes a nuisance to neighbours or others in the vicinity. Outside built-up areas, burning of agricultural or forestry waste and broad-acre burning may be permitted, provided all relevant codes of practice for burning are followed.

We recommend addressing the issue directly with the person or group involved, as they may be unaware of the concern and this approach can often encourage a positive response.

If you’re unable to resolve the matter or feel uncomfortable doing so, please contact our Customer Service Team at (08) 8375 6600.

Council will respond to complaints regarding this matter during operating hours, 8 am to 6 pm. For urgent issues, please contact Emergency Services at 000. Non-urgent complaints will be addressed by Council on the next business day.

There are different types of burning permits, each designed for specific needs and circumstances. Please review the following information to determine the appropriate permit type for your situation.

Types of Permits:

During Fire Danger Season:

1. Schedule 9 Permit: This permit may be issued by Fire Prevention Officers for certain fires or activities on days within the Fire Danger Season that are not designated as Total Fire Ban days.
2. Schedule 10 Permit: This permit may be issued for emergency purposes only and allows specific activities on Total Fire Ban days.

Outside of Fire Danger Season: Community Safety Inspectors, authorised under the Environment Protection Act, can issue burning permits outside the Fire Danger Season under specific conditions.

For more information, please refer to Section 6 of the Environment Protection (Air Quality) Policy 2016.

If you have questions about the type of permit you may need, please contact the Community Safety Team by email: communitysafety@marion.sa.gov.au for further assistance.

The Council may issue a burning permit for the following activities within the council area, outside of the fire danger season:

• Burning agricultural or forestry waste
• Burning vegetation for fire prevention or control
• Burning vegetation for other purposes

Application Process:

• Applications must be submitted in writing.
• If approved, the applicant will receive written notification.
• The permit will be published on the City of Marion’s website.

Permit conditions:

The permit will include specific conditions such as:

• Specified times, periods, circumstances, or methods for the burning activity
• Types or classes of matter that may be burned
• Any other conditions necessary to control or minimize air pollution

Restrictions:

Permits cannot be issued if:

• The applicant is not the owner or occupier of the land, or lacks their consent or authority
• The burning involves prohibited substances (as listed in Schedule 1)

Additional information:

• Permits may be varied or revoked at any time.
• Applications may be refused if the applicant is deemed unsuitable.
• The permit does not exempt the holder from liability for any loss, damage, or harm caused by the fire.
• It does not prevent enforcement of the general environmental duty under section 25 of the Act, or any other related offences.

To apply for a burning permit, please complete the application form below

To apply for a burning permit, please complete the application form below.

Out of Fire Danger Season Burning Permit Application

Permit to light or maintain a fire during the Fire Danger Season - Application for Schedule 9

Permit to light or maintain a fire during a Total Fire Ban (for EMERGENCY PURPOSES ONLY) - Application for Schedule 10