Fire Safety

The fire danger board on the northbound side of the Federal Highway.

Outside summer fire season:

This generally lasts from 1st April to 30th September, but may be varied depending on conditions. Outside the fire season there are no indicator arrows or messages on the fire conditions boards.

The appearance of the fire conditions board outside summer fire season.

During this period paddocks or weed areas can be burnt off and bonfires can be lit in the open without a permit. However, for hazard reduction burns it is necessary to have a current certificate from the Mitigation Officer at Yarrowlumla/Queanbeyan Fire Control. These certificates are valid for one year. You must inform your neighbours and Yarrowlumla/Queanbeyan Fire Control 24 hours before you light up, so that there are no false alarm callouts. The fire must be under control at all times and the means to extinguish it must be available. Bonfires should only be lit in an area raked clear of all combustible materials. Bonfire sparks can escape in an embarrassing way and the brigade has been called to extinguish a grass fire caused by hay bales used as seating around a bonfire catching alight.

Strategic burning outside the fire season can actually be used as a protection against bushfire by reducing the fuel burden in grassland or the understory in bush areas. Before lighting up, consult the Rural Fire Brigade about the necessary strategies. The brigade carries out control burns itself during this season for training purposes and to reduce fire risk, so they may be able to help you out. They will certainly give you advice. Contact the captain on this matter.

Summer Fire Season:

This lasts generally from 1st October to 31st March, but may be lengthened or shortened as appropriate. During the fire season the level of fire risk is indicated by an arrow on the fire conditions boards and "NO FIRES WITHOUT PERMIT" is displayed below it.

The fire danger sign during low fire danger during the summer fire season, when burning off would probably be permitted if all other conditions were met.

During this time a permit is required from the Captain to burn off or light any fires in the open. To obtain a permit you must be able to assure the Captain that you have the knowledge and the means to keep the situation under control, and the conditions must be deemed safe. You must already hold a current certificate from the Mitigation Officer at Fire Control. You must also inform your neighbours and Yarrowlumla/Queanbeyan Fire Control 24 hours before you are intending to burn.

Gas, electric and solid fuel barbecues as well as incinerators may be used if they are enclosed. Ensure that the area around them is free of combustible material and that there is a source of water or a knapsack spray available for stray sparks. Take care with raking out the incinerator or disposing of used barbecue fuel. Assess the condition of the grass before carrying out any spark producing activities outdoors and ensure that you have a knapsack spray or similar immediately to hand if you are slashing, mowing, welding, anglegrinding or any of those potentially hazardous activities. If you are not too sure whether conditions are suitable, don't do it.

The fire conditions board on a day of high fire danger during the summer fire season, when it is most unlikely that a permit would be isued.

Total fire ban:

These are only called on days of exceptional fire danger, when there is a severe risk that any fire may escape out of control. The ban is in force until midnight, unless it is extended. The arrow on the fire conditions board will be pointing to "very high" or "extreme" and "TOTAL FIRE BAN - NO FIRES" will be displayed in big friendly red letters below it. Local radio and TV stations will also announce it.

The fire conditions board on a day of total fire ban.

On these days no fires of any sort are allowed outdoors. Solid fuel barbecues, even enclosed kettle barbecues, and incinerators must not be used. Gas or electric barbecues are allowed but only if they are in an enclosed area free of any combustible material, they are under the control of a responsible adult at all times and there is a continuous source of water available ie. a tap, not just a knapsack spray. The truth is, it is likely to be such a horrible day that a barbecue is a pretty bad option anyway. You should not even smoke a cigarette out of doors. No mowing, welding, anglegrinding or any other sort of spark producing activity should be carried out outdoors. Keep the fire pump ready for action and watch the horizon.