Fire Danger Period and Burning Off Restrictions
The 2025-2026 Fire Danger Period is in place from Monday 8 December 2025 until Friday 1 May 2026.
The Fire Danger Period is when the Country Fire Authority (CFA) restricts the use of fire in the community to help prevent fires from starting.
People living in country Victoria are particularly affected. The CFA declares the Fire Danger Period for each municipality at different times in the lead up to the fire season. It depends on the amount of rain, grassland curing rate and other local conditions.
Find out what you can and can't do during the declared Fire Danger Period, and on days of Total Fire Ban, when fires in the open air are legally restricted. Visit the CFA's website.
Total Fire Ban Days
Total Fire Bans are declared by CFA on days when fires are likely to spread rapidly and be difficult to control.
All fires in the open air for burning off grass, scrub, stubble or rubbish are banned during Total Fire Ban Days.
Fire Danger Period
CFA declares the Fire Danger Periods by municipality during periods of increased fire risk.
No fires are permitted in the open air during the declared Fire Danger Period (fire restriction period) without a Permit to Burn.
For a full list of what you can and can't do during the Fire Danger Period visit the CFA's website.
Permits are issued by CFA or Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV). Visit Fire Permits Victoria for information or to apply for a permit.
Townships and Urban Areas
Permits are not valid if the property is located within a township area. To check if your property falls within a township area see our Township maps or contact Council on 5232 9400.
Alternatively, you can reduce your fuel load and dispose of waste by:
- Taking your green waste to Council’s transfer stations at Alvie, Birregurra and Apollo Bay. Keeping green waste separate to other materials will significantly reduce disposal fees, further information is available on Council's Rubbish & Recycling page.
- Mulching fine fuels, such as grass, leaves and bark, for use in the garden.
Agricultural Requests
Applications for permits to burn for essential agricultural and primary production purposes only i.e. stubble burning for cropping preparations should be made to the CFA.
Applications for a permit and further information can be found at Fire Permits Victoria.