As camp and outdoor providers, it is important to know the rules about using fire during the Bush Fire Danger Period, including getting fire permits and Total Fire Ban declarations.

The Bushfire Danger Period runs from 1 October to 31 March (it can vary in different areas). During this period fire permits are required for open burning, however during a Total Fire Ban no fire may be lit in the open and fire permits are suspended.

The process for declarations uses NSW Fire Areas. NSW Fire Areas are smaller and based on local government area boundaries so fire weather information and Total Fire Bans are more specific to local conditions. NSW is divided into 21 areas. You must know what council area you are in and what NSW Fire Area you are in. Finding out which NSW Fire Area you are in, Bush Fire Danger Period rules, where and when a Total Fire Ban is declared is easy.

The NSW Rural Fire Service website contains very valuable information.

Which NSW Fire Area are you in?
NSW Fire Areas

When are Fire Permits required and what are the Rules during the Bush Fire Danger Period?
Fire Permits and Bush Fire Danger Period

The Bureau of Meterology provides advice on forecast weather conditions and Fire Danger Ratings during the Bushfire Danger Period. The Rural Fire Service Commissioner declares Total Fire Bans based on this advice and other information. This decision is generally made at around 5pm each afternoon During the Bushfire Danger Period and the Total Fire Ban applies for the following day, starting from midnight and lasting 24 hours.

Which NSW Fire Areas are under Total Fire Ban?
Total Fire Ban and Current Fire Danger Map

or call 1800 NSW RFS (1800 679 737), or your local RFS Fire Control Centre.
Announcements are also made in newspapers, on the radio and on television.

This map also shows what the current Fire Danger Rating is in each area, whether it is extreme, high, moderate, or low.

What are the rules during a Total Fire Ban?
Total Fire Ban Rules

• Total Fire Ban and Current Fire Danger Map
• Total Fire Ban Rules
• Fire Permits and Bush Fire Danger Period
• NSW Fire Area