Fire Approvals and Operations

Gaining fire approvals can be tricky and getting everyone on board takes a lot of work! To help, we've narrowed down some key steps.

The Issue

Areas of my property need to be burnt. This could be for asset protection, hazard reduction, ecological or cultural reasons. 

The Challenge

There's probably too many to list but we've included some common questions below.
  • Where do I start? 
  • What approvals do I need?
  • Who do I need to engage? 
  • What about liability and insurance? 

The Response

 Step 1: Property and Fire Plan
A property and fire management plan is essential. The plan can be developed by your local ecologist, consultant or fire contractor and should include detailed information on the property, vegetation and burn plan. Using the 'National Guidelines for Prescribed Burning Operations' by Australasian Fire and Emergency Service
Authorities Council (AFAC) and Forest Fire Management Group (FFMG) we've included some key information that should also be included below;
  • Detailed property map including boundaries, roads and vehicle tracks, neighbours, infrastructure and water points  
  • The burn context and objectives;
  • Vegetation types, and hazard levels within the burn area and in adjacent areas;
  • Cultural assets, ecological assets and protected areas
  • Threats including weeds, pest animals, wildfire events and areas prone to erosion
  • Minimum and maximum fire behaviour to achieve burn objectives, level and patterns of desired fuel modification, and the fire behaviour likely during the burn (based on standard prescriptions and lighting practice assumptions);
  • Risk assessment - Identify the range of risks associated with undertaking the burn (public and firefighter safety, property, infrastructure, assets, economic and environmental) – including both fire and smoke impact dimensions;
  • Risk management - Identify and plan how to manage the burn risks identified in the above step and record risk control action requirements in the burn plan (including resources required to implement actions);
  • Plan the stakeholder consultation and notification process requirements;
  • Complete the rest of the standard burn plan template sections and checklists; including preparation of the operations map, preparation and notification requirements, command and control arrangements, contingencies and logistics, and record keeping requirements; 
  • Prepare a pre-burn operations brief and submit plan for peer review and approval process 

Once the plan is finished, consider sharing it with:
  • Local government agencies
  • NSW Rural Fire Service
  • Local Aboriginal Land Council
  • Neighbours
  • National Parks & Wildlife Service – if the property is next to a National Park
  • Landcare groups 
Step 2: What approvals do I need?
Before you light that fire it's essential to know what approvals and permits are required. Failing to obtain these approvals could result in significant penalties and if the fire gets out of control, endangering lives, property and/or the environment, possible jail time. Other than checking if it's a 'Total Fire Ban' day, some important approvals and permits to consider are;

Fire Permit

You as the landowner are responsible for contacting the NSW Rural Fire Service and/or Fire and Rescue NSW to determine whether you are required to obtain a Fire Permit (fire safety approval). In Fire and Rescue NSW areas, a Fire Permit is required all year round. In NSW RFS areas, a Fire Permit is required during the Bush Fire Danger Period. The Bush Fire Danger Period generally runs from 1 October to 31 March, however, be aware that it may commence earlier and / or finish later due to local conditions. A Permit is also required if your burn is likely to endanger a building. You should always check with your local NSW RFS Fire Control Centre prior to undertaking your burn. A valid Fire Permit is free and allows a person to use fire (on the land identified on the Permit) for the purpose and under the conditions specified on the Permit.

If you have engaged a contractor to undertake the works then they're responsible for gaining a fire permit with your consent.

Bush fire Hazard Reduction Certificate

If your burn is for bush fire hazard reduction purposes, you may obtain an environmental approval (Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Certificate) free of charge from the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS). This approval may also cover the clearing of vegetation for bush fire hazard reduction purposes.

Environmental Approvals

If your burn is  not for bush fire hazard reduction purposes (for example agricultural burning or burning to remove or clear vegetation), there're two primary types of environmental approval that you may need:

1. An approval for burning native vegetation

- Contact your Local Land Services (LLS) office or local council for advice on whether you need an approval for burning native vegetation and how to obtain an approval. Burning standing native vegetation is considered ‘clearing’ under the Local Land Services Act 2013 and your LLS will need to determine whether your burn triggers the need for an approval.

2. An approval for burning in the open.

- Smoke from your burn can have negative impacts on your community and local and regional air pollution. In many council areas, burning vegetation is prohibited except with an approval from the local council or the NSW Environment Protection Authority. Whether you need an Open Burning (smoke) approval under the Protection of the Environment Operations (Clean Air) Regulation 2010, will depend on how your council has chosen to be identified in the Regulation.

 

Step 3: Operational Preparations

Depending on site circumstances and where the burn will take place, many preparations will need to be completed before a burn can be approved and commenced. These typically include:

  • Preparing containment lines/edges and/or contingency lines;
  • Conducting protective works around at-risk assets, utilities and facilities etc.;
  • Organising and mobilising agency and local partner resources, and specialised equipment for the burn – for larger scale burns this can be a substantial task involving out-of-area resources, aerial ignition helicopters, and night-shift resources;
  • Ensuring State-level burn scheduling requirements are satisfied and media release arrangements organised;
  • Advising neighbours and stakeholders of burn intentions, restrictions and any preparedness actions they should take (a major task in interface burns);
  • Ensuring a structured burn planning information transfer process is undertaken between the burn planner and the burn incident controller (IC);
  • Setting up command/control points and logistical support facilities (e.g. for aircraft or machinery);
  • Ensuring appropriate hazard warning signage is in place and traffic management resources organised;
  • Ensuring the burn area has been checked and is clear of visitors and general public; and
  • Ensuring preparedness checklists are completed and burn approval obtained.


Step 4: On the day

The weather is possibly your biggest concern. In hope that you have ideal moisture and wind conditions the next step would be ensuring all people participating in the burn (including RFS, Fire and Rescue, Neigbours etc.) are present at the site and operations brief. The site and operations brief will address all operational preparations stated above and confirm that all participants are aware of their job, location of equipment and vehicles, risks and management. Once this has concluded then the burn may take place.


Step 5: Post-Burn Assessment

After each burn a post-burn assessment is conducted to determine if the burn was successful and the objectives have been met. This will also include follow up works that may be required such as weed control. Observations of the areas burnt and unburnt, relative to the intended burn area map is noted and estimate residual fuel levels using the Victorian Overall Fuel Hazard Guide is completed to assign a fire intensity classification to the burn. Photographs of the site pre and post burn is essential to monitoring regenerative patterns and drawing conclusions for future burns.

For more information on burning approvals, visit

http://hotspotsfireproject.org.au/

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