Burn offs are intentionally ignited fires by a member of the public for the reduction of vegetation or stubble, usually as part of farming practices. Individuals conducting a burn off need the appropriate local council permits.

Safe practices for burn offs include preparing a clean fuel break of at least four metres around the area to be burnt and ensuring a sufficient water supply remains on scene at all times during and after the burn off.

Permits are required to light a fire or burn off during the Fire Danger Season when the general exemption conditions can not be met.

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Vegetation burning

Vegetation pile burning has been undertaken for many years and is a very effective way to dispose of accumulated vegetation waste in the rural setting. 

The main cause of uncontrolled fires from vegetation pile burning has been a lack of planning and preparation and inappropriate burning techniques for the environment in which it is conducted. All vegetation pile burning must comply with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) burning policy.

Vegetation Pile Burning - CFS Code of Practice - Current (approved April 2015)

The practice of vegetation pile burning has been undertaken for many years and is an effective way to dispose of accumulated vegetation waste in the rural setting. Over the years the practice of vegetation pile burning has led to the start of numerous fires. The main cause of uncontrolled fires from vegetation pile burning has been from a lack of planning, preparation and inappropriate burning techniques for the environment in which it is conducted.

Broad acre burning

Broad acre stubble burning as a farm management practice needs to be carefully planned and implemented with caution to ensure that risks of fire spreading are reduced. Consideration should be made for:

  • appropriate weather
  • fuel breaks
  • native vegetation
  • firefighting resources
  • communication
  • smoke management.

Broad Acre Burning - CFS Code of Practice - Current (approved April 2015)

Broad acre stubble burning is a farm management practice that produces the greatest fire risk every summer and autumn if not carefully planned and implemented with caution. This Code of Practice serves as guide to the South Australian farming community to help in the practice of safe broad acre stubble burning.

Smoke caused by burning off may have an adverse impact on neighbouring areas. These impacts may include damage to nearby crops and health and safety concerns for nearby communities.

To minimise the risk of adverse impacts from smoke it is important to consider the following things before undertaking a burn off:

  • Wet and damp vegetation will cause more smoke, therefore it is important to ensure vegetation is sufficiently dry to reduce the production of smoke.
  • Various weather conditions can cause smoke to remain low or travel further, it is therefore important to consider the weather, including wind direction before undertaking a burn off.

It is important to act in good faith using best available information to safely plan your burn off and communicate with neighbours who may be affected.

The CFS Smoke Management Policy and the PIRSA Broadacre Burn-Off Smoke Management Guidelines provide details on how to mitigate the risks posed by smoke from burning off, including recommendations to reducing the risk of unharvested grapevine crops being affected by smoke from burn offs.

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