Fire Bans
Information about the rules of Total Fire Bans and Harvest and Vehicle Movement Bans.
On this page:
Total Fire Ban
A Total Fire Ban is declared by DFES when the bushfire risk is heightened.
When a Total Fire Ban is in place, it is illegal to conduct any activity that could start a fire. Businesses, public authorities or industries may be able to apply for an exemption from DFES. Penalties of up to $25,000 or up to 12 months jail apply for breaching the conditions of a Total Fire Ban.
What you are NOT ALLOWED to do during a Total Fire Ban
You cannot conduct any activity that could start a fire. This includes, but isn't limited to:
- Lighting a fire
- Hot works (i.e. welding, grinding, cutting metal)
- Operating a firepit, solid fuel barbeque, pizza oven, spit roast or similar
- Operating an internal combustion engine-powered machine or vehicle in or around bushland or paddocks (unless feeding or watering stock)
Full detail about what you can and cannot do during a Total Fire Ban is available on the DFES website.
Exemptions
It is possible for businesses, public authorities or industries to apply to DFES for an exemption to a Total Fire Ban.
To find out more, visit the DFES website.
Notification of a Total Fire Ban
There are several ways you can find out if a Total Fire Ban has been declared in the Shire of Denmark:
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Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban
Sometimes referred to as a Vehicle Movement Ban or Movement Ban, a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban is declared by the Shire's Chief Bushfire Control Officer in the most serious of fire weather conditions.
If a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban is declared at the same time as a Total Fire Ban, the conditions of both bans must be adhered to.
The key difference between the two different types of bans is that some businesses and authorities may apply for exemptions to a Total Fire Ban, but during a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban, those exemptions are rendered invaild.
What you CAN and CANNOT do during a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban
You must act responsibly to avoid the chance of a fire starting due to your activities. During a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban, the following conditions apply:
| You Cannot |
You Can |
|
Conduct any off-road activity which involves the operation of any internal combustion engine-powered vehicle or machine such as a tractor, ute, motorbike, excavator, chainsaw, generator, lawnmower and so on.
(Off road includes paddocks, bushland, uncleared land and grass)
|
Drive onto a paddock if there is an immediate and serious threat to the health and safety of a person or livestock. All reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent the creation of a bushfire danger. |
| Carry out business as usual, if your work involves any of the above mentioned conditions. |
Use a vehicle on gazetted roads, lanes, driveways and yards if they provide access to or parking at any residential, farming or business premises and if the area is sufficiently clear of flammable material. |
Farmers: Frequently Asked Questions
The rules of a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban are the same for everyone, but farmers have unique concerns during a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban.
I need to drive into a paddock to feed my livestock. I'm exempt from this ban, right?
Wrong.
Any ‘off road activity’ is banned during a Movement Ban. The definition of ‘off road’ includes paddocks and the definition of ‘activity’ is the ‘use of anything activated by an internal combustion engine’, so that would cover your ute, tractor, bobcat, telehandler or any other implement you might use to feed your livestock.
It's important to note: Movement Bans are usually declared for a specific time period during a day, for example, from 7am until 5pm. You can drive into your paddocks to feed your livestock before or after the Movement Ban, just not during.
What about checking my livestock? Summer is calving time!
You can drive on your laneways on your property if they are sufficiently cleared of flammable material (think a proper gravel road, not a grassed laneway or firebreak) but you cannot drive into your paddocks unless there is an immediate and serious risk to the health and safety of a person or livestock.
While the ban is in place, you must walk your paddocks to check your livestock and water points. If this is not possible, you should perform your checks early in the morning before a Movement Ban is declared. If you have concern for an animal, it’s a good idea to move it to an accessible location before the ban comes into effect.
If, during the day while the ban is on, you identify a seriously and immediately threatened animal or a critical water outage to a stocked paddock, you can drive on to address the issue. If you do this, you must be extra vigilant, on the lookout for fire and take all reasonable precautions to prevent the creation of a bushfire danger (i.e. access the paddock in a ute or truck with your firefighting unit mounted and filled).
How do I register to get an SMS to notify me of a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban?
Please complete our SMS Alerts System registration form.
Other Business: Frequently Asked Questions
I run an earthworks/slashing/roadworks/construction/tree-lopping or similar business. Can I continue operating as normal under a movement ban?
No.
When a Movement Ban is declared, it means the district is facing exceptionally dangerous fire weather conditions. Exceptional circumstances call for exceptional measures, so a Movement Ban day is a good day to spend some time in your shed catching up on equipment maintenance, bookwork or, perhaps consider taking the day off.
When a Total Fire Ban is declared, businesses can register with DFES to receive a permit to continue work, but these permits are void if a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban is declared.
How do I register to get an SMS to notify me of a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban?
Please complete our SMS Alerts System registration form.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a ban is declared? It is your responsibility to be aware if a Total Fire Ban or Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban is declared and act accordingly.
How do I register to get an SMS to notify me of a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban? Please complete our SMS Alerts System registration form.
More Frequently Asked Questions to come...
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