Fire bans and fire danger periods

Fire bans and fire danger periods are different.

Fire bans have strict rules about not lighting fires. During fire danger periods, you can still conduct most business and maintenance activities on your land, but there are some important things you should be aware of before carrying out these duties.

Fire bans

When fire conditions are very dangerous, a fire ban may be declared for either the whole or part of the Northern Territory (NT).

This most often starts at midnight and could last for a period of up to 24 hours.

Fire bans are declared for fire weather forecast areas.

If you start a fire during a fire ban period, you could be charged the maximum penalty or face imprisonment.

Check if there's a fire ban in your region on the SecureNT website.

During a fire ban

During a fire ban period:

• you must not start fire in the open air
• all permits to burn are void
• if you're using fire immediately before a ban is declared, you must put the fire out
• you may still have a gas or coal BBQ.

You can have a small cooking fire but only if:

• the fire is only alight while cooking or boiling water
• there is a clear area 4m around the fire
• there is always someone present
• the fire is completely extinguished immediately after cooking is complete.

Announcements

Find out about current fire bans by doing the following:

• listen to your local ABC radio news and weather forecasts
• watch your local ABC TV news and weather
• look out for roadside signs
• join the mail subscription service - go to the SecureNT website.

You should also find out about different ways to stay informed about bushfires.

Read about permits and lighting fires.

Fire danger periods

A fire danger period can be declared for either the whole or part of the Territory for a specific period of time. Any area specified under a declaration of fire danger period is known as a fire danger area.

Bushfires NT and NT Fire and Rescue Service declares the fire danger period for the Top End and Central Australia at different times in the lead up to the bushfire season.

It depends on the amount of:

• rain
• grassland curing rate
• local conditions.

During a fire danger period

All landholders within a fire danger area must have a permit to burn. A permit to burn is voided when a fire ban is declared.

When using equipment and machinery:

• do not use spark producing equipment near bush or other flammable materials
• keep equipment in good working order
• use equipment that is designed to prevent the escape of sparks, flames or burning material from the exhaust
• have a fire extinguisher readily available that is capable of extinguishing a blaze for the type of equipment you are using.

Check whether the fire danger period is enforced in your area on the Secure NT website.