Permit to burn and lighting fires

In the Northern Territory (NT), there are rules about lighting a fire and needing a permit to burn.

These depend on what you plan to do and where your property is located.

When you need a permit

If you're in an emergency response area or fire protection zone, you need a permit to burn.

If you burn without a permit, you may be fined:

• emergency response area - find out the penalty on the NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services (NTPFES) website
• fire protection zone - up to 500 penalty units or imprisoned for up to 5 years - read more on the Department of the Attorney-General and Justice website.

Emergency response areas

For emergency response areas (ERAs), you must get a permit to burn year round from the NT Fire and Rescue Service.

To find out the rules and to check if you're within an ERA, go to the NTPFES website.

Fire protection zones

For fire protection zones, you must get a permit from Bushfires NT year round.

Check if you're within a fire protection zone.

In areas outside of fire protection zones, you must have a permit to burn within declared fire danger areas during fire danger periods.

Aerial incendiary device from an aircraft in flight must have a permit year round. You must get this from Bushfires NT.

When you don't need a permit

The only time you don't need a permit is to start small fires, such as for cooking, boiling water or for comfort.

You must ensure the fire is:

• at least 4m away from bush or other flammable material
• not left unattended at any time while lit
• extinguish before leaving.

Failing to follow the above is an offence.

You must be able to control the fire.

How to get a permit

For ERAs, find your local fire station on the NTPFES website.

For fire protection zones, contact your local bushfire volunteer brigade or fill in and submit the online form.

Go to Territory Services

Before you start burning

Permit holders in ERAs, whose permit was issued by a local fire station, should read the conditions on the NTPFES website.

For permits in fire protection zones, you must:

• read and understand the conditions of the permit
• not burn in a fire ban area during a fire ban period
• not burn household waste (excluding green waste)
• notify the owner or occupier of each adjoining property at least 24 hours prior - unless otherwise specified by the issuing fire warden or fire control officer
• advise the local volunteer brigade 12 hours prior
• install firebreaks to the recommended standard
• monitor weather conditions
• have suitable fire control equipment onsite.

Restrictions to permits

During bushfire season, further restrictions may apply to permits.

If a permitted fire is burning on your land when a fire ban period is announced, you must put it out if safe to do so.

If you can't, you must call 000 or notify the Bushfires NT fire control officer or fire warden immediately.

If you fail to put out the fire or notify authorities, it's an offence.

The maximum penalty is 200 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.

Find out more about fire danger periods and fire bans on Secure NT website.

Contact

If you have any questions, contact Bushfires NT or your nearest volunteer bushfire brigade.

You can also find Bushfires NT on Facebook.