Campfire rules in Australia are not controlled by one national rule. State and territory laws, Total Fire Bans, seasonal restrictions, park bans, council rules, private-land conditions and campground instructions can all apply at once. A fire that was legal yesterday—or at another campsite—may be illegal today.
The four checks every camper must make
| Check | What it tells you | Where to confirm it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Fire district conditions | Fire Danger Rating, Total Fire Ban and emergency warnings | Official state or territory fire authority |
| 2. Park or land restriction | Park fire ban, seasonal ban, closure or fuel-stove-only rule | National park, forest, reserve or land-manager website |
| 3. Campground rule | Whether fires are allowed and which fireplaces or fuel types may be used | Booking page, entry sign, ranger, host or property owner |
| 4. Conditions at the site | Wind, dry fuel, smoke impact and whether a legal fire is still unsafe | Bureau forecast, official warnings and direct observation |
Complete all four checks shortly before departure and again on the day you plan to use fire. Restrictions can change after you leave home.
Fire Danger Rating, fire season and Total Fire Ban are different
Fire Danger Rating
The Australian Fire Danger Rating System uses four levels: Moderate, High, Extreme and Catastrophic. The rating describes how dangerous a fire would be if one started. It is not, by itself, permission to light a campfire.
Declared fire season or Fire Danger Period
States use different names for seasonal periods when lighting fires is restricted. Permits, construction standards, cleared areas, supervision or time limits may apply. Victoria’s CFA, for example, makes clear that its Fire Danger Period is not the same as a Total Fire Ban.
Total Fire Ban
A Total Fire Ban is a legal restriction declared for a district or area when fire risk is serious. Campfires and other open fires are prohibited. Rules for gas, electric and liquid-fuel cooking vary, so the applicable fire authority must be checked rather than relying on a national assumption.
Park fire ban
A park agency can impose a separate ban or close a park even when there is no broader Total Fire Ban. NSW National Parks states that during a park fire ban, campfires and solid-fuel barbecues and stoves—including wood, charcoal, heat beads, briquettes and hexamine—are prohibited. Visitor-owned gas and electric cookers may also be prohibited unless an exception is confirmed.
Why rules differ across Australia
Each state and territory administers its own bushfire laws and fire-ban districts. Parks, forests, councils and private landholders may impose stricter controls for local vegetation, access, cultural values, water supply and firefighting capacity.
Common differences include:
- the dates of seasonal restrictions;
- whether wood fires are allowed at all;
- whether only built fireplaces may be used;
- maximum fire size and required clearance;
- whether campers may collect firewood;
- rules for gas, liquid fuel and electric appliances;
- adult supervision and water requirements;
- wind limits and extinguishing standards; and
- penalties and liability for escaped fires.
This article explains the decision process, not a universal legal specification. Always use the current official instructions for the exact campsite.
Official fire authorities to check
| Jurisdiction | Main fire authority | Also check |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | NSW Rural Fire Service | NSW National Parks, Forestry Corporation, council or land manager |
| Victoria | Country Fire Authority | Parks Victoria, Forest Fire Management Victoria and local council |
| Queensland | Queensland Fire Department | Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and local government |
| South Australia | Country Fire Service | National Parks and Wildlife Service SA |
| Western Australia | Department of Fire and Emergency Services | Emergency WA, local government and DBCA park alerts |
| Tasmania | Tasmania Fire Service | Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania |
| Northern Territory | Bushfires NT and NT Fire and Rescue Service | NT Parks or Parks Australia for Kakadu and Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa |
| Australian Capital Territory | ACT Emergency Services Agency | ACT Parks and Conservation Service |
Bookmark the relevant official pages before travelling. Avoid using an old screenshot, social-media comment or generic campsite review as proof that a fire is permitted.
Which fuels count as solid fuel?
Restrictions commonly treat more than split firewood as solid fuel. Depending on the wording, prohibited fuels can include:
- wood and timber offcuts;
- charcoal and lump charcoal;
- heat beads and briquettes;
- coal;
- compressed logs or wood pellets;
- hexamine tablets;
- paper or cardboard used as fuel; and
- other material that burns with embers or ash.
A contained charcoal barbecue can still be a solid-fuel fire. A lid, raised stand or portable fire pit does not automatically make it legal during a ban.
Are gas stoves allowed during a Total Fire Ban?
Sometimes, but never assume so. Jurisdictions impose different conditions and land managers can be stricter. Conditions may concern the appliance type, adult supervision, cleared space, access to water, nearby combustible material and whether the appliance is fixed or portable.
South Australian parks state that all fires and most barbecues, including gas and liquid fuel, are not allowed on Total Fire Ban days, although limited fixed-facility exceptions can apply. NSW parks may prohibit visitor-owned gas and electric cookers during a park fire ban unless prior permission is obtained. Victorian rules permit certain gas or electric cooking under defined conditions on a Total Fire Ban day, while solid fuel is prohibited.
Because a rule that applies at home may not apply inside a park, check both authorities.
When a campfire is permitted
If every applicable authority permits a fire, follow the exact local conditions. Good practice includes:
- Use the designated fireplace. Do not build a new ring merely because others have done so.
- Clear the surrounding area. Remove leaves, bark, grass and other combustible material to the distance required locally.
- Keep it small. Use only the amount of fuel needed for cooking or brief warmth.
- Keep water beside it. Have enough to extinguish the fire completely, not merely dampen the surface.
- Supervise continuously. A responsible adult must remain close and alert.
- Watch the wind. Extinguish the fire if sparks, embers or smoke cannot be controlled.
- Protect tents and equipment. Keep them well outside the required clearance.
- Extinguish before sleep or departure. Never leave it for the next camper.
How to extinguish a campfire properly
- Stop adding wood well before you plan to leave or sleep.
- Spread the fuel and embers within the fireplace.
- Pour water over all embers, not only the flames.
- Stir the wet ash and expose hidden hot material.
- Add more water and stir again.
- Check the full bed, edges and surrounding soil for heat.
- Continue until it is completely cold and no steam, glow or smoke remains.
Do not bury a fire with soil or sand as the only extinguishing method. Heat can remain underneath and later escape through roots, wind or another camper disturbing the site.
Never leave a campfire unattended
“Unattended” includes walking to the toilet, going for a swim, returning to the tent or falling asleep. Wind can lift an ember into dry leaves in seconds.
If every responsible adult needs to leave, extinguish the fire completely. Do not rely on children, a loose ring of stones, a lid or a nearby camper to watch it.
Firewood rules protect parks and ecosystems
Collecting fallen wood may be illegal even where fires are permitted. Dead wood provides habitat and nutrients, and removing it can damage sensitive environments. Cutting live vegetation is generally unacceptable and may attract penalties.
Follow instructions about whether you must:
- bring clean, untreated firewood;
- buy wood locally or from the campground;
- avoid moving wood between regions because of pests or disease;
- use only supplied wood; or
- avoid fires entirely.
Never burn painted, treated or manufactured timber, rubbish, plastic, cans, glass, batteries or aerosol containers. Toxic fumes, sharp waste and exploding containers endanger people and contaminate the site.
Portable fire pits do not override the rules
A portable fire pit may reduce scorching and contain ash, but it remains a fire. The same bans, fuel restrictions, clearances, supervision and extinguishing duties apply. Some campgrounds allow fires only in their fixed fireplaces and prohibit personal pits.
Before bringing one, check:
- whether portable pits are accepted;
- the minimum height above ground;
- whether an ember screen is required;
- the permitted fuel;
- ash-disposal instructions; and
- whether a heat shield is needed.
Campfires on private land
Landowner permission is necessary but may not be sufficient. State fire laws, council restrictions, permits, seasonal rules and Total Fire Bans can still apply. Caravan parks and farm stays may impose stricter house rules for insurance and safety.
Ask the owner to identify the approved location and fuel, then independently check the official district status. If a fire escapes, the person who lit or controlled it may face serious penalties, firefighting costs or civil liability.
Camping on beaches and coastal dunes
Sand does not make a fire harmless. Vegetation, buried roots, peat-like organic material and wind-blown embers can carry fire through dunes. Hot coals buried in sand can also cause severe burns to people walking barefoot.
Many coastal parks have permanent or seasonal prohibitions. Use only approved fireplaces when expressly allowed, and never bury hot coals.
Health and environmental impacts
Even a legal campfire can make a campsite unpleasant or unsafe. Smoke can worsen asthma and other respiratory conditions, drift into neighbouring tents and reduce visibility. Repeated fires scorch soil, damage vegetation and leave charcoal and rubbish.
Consider skipping the fire when:
- the weather is windy, hot or unusually dry;
- smoke will affect nearby campers;
- fuel is scarce or environmentally sensitive;
- you lack ample water;
- you are tired or intend to sleep soon; or
- a safe gas or electric alternative is permitted.
Plan meals that do not depend on fire
Every camping trip should have a no-fire food plan. A ban can be declared after arrival, or a park can close communal barbecues.
Useful backups include:
- sandwiches and wraps;
- tinned fish, beans or ready-to-eat meals;
- fruit, nuts and shelf-stable snacks;
- pre-cooked food kept at a safe temperature;
- cold-soaked oats or cereals; and
- access to food outside the fire-affected area.
Do not use a stove inside a tent, vehicle or poorly ventilated shelter. Fire, carbon monoxide and fuel leaks can be fatal.
What to do if conditions worsen
If wind increases, smoke appears nearby, warnings change or a Total Fire Ban is announced:
- extinguish the campfire completely;
- turn off and cool any permitted cooking appliance;
- check official warnings and park alerts;
- follow ranger, police and emergency-service directions;
- leave early if advised or if your plan requires it; and
- call Triple Zero (000) for a fire emergency.
Do not remain to photograph a bushfire or assume a road will stay open. Mobile coverage may fail, so tell someone your route and carry an appropriate emergency communication method for remote trips.
Before-you-go checklist
- Identify the fire-ban district containing the campground.
- Read the land manager’s current alerts and campground page.
- Check whether wood, charcoal, gas and electric appliances are treated differently.
- Pack no-cook meals and sufficient drinking water.
- Bring extra water specifically for extinguishing permitted fires.
- Download official emergency apps and offline maps where useful.
- Check fire status again on arrival and every day.
- Inspect the site and abandon the fire if conditions are unsafe.
- Keep emergency contacts and location details accessible.
- Extinguish every fire until completely cold.
Mistakes to avoid
- Checking only the weather app: legal bans and park restrictions require official sources.
- Assuming an existing fire ring means permission: it may be old, unofficial or temporarily banned.
- Believing a small fire is exempt: size does not cancel a Total Fire Ban.
- Treating charcoal as gas: charcoal is a solid fuel and can remain hot for hours.
- Leaving fire overnight: extinguish it before sleeping, including before a ban begins the next day.
- Collecting wood without permission: protected areas often prohibit it.
- Using petrol or accelerants: vapour can flash back and cause catastrophic burns.
- Burying coals: hidden heat can injure people or reignite.
- Assuming a gas stove is always allowed: rules vary and park bans may be stricter.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a campfire when the Fire Danger Rating is High?
Possibly, but the rating alone does not decide permission. Check for a Total Fire Ban, seasonal restrictions, park bans and campground rules, then assess local conditions. A permitted fire can still be an unsafe choice.
Can I light a campfire in a provided fireplace during a Total Fire Ban?
No. A provided fireplace does not override a Total Fire Ban. Extinguish any existing fire before the ban starts.
Are heat beads and charcoal allowed during a solid-fuel ban?
No. They are commonly included as solid fuels. Read the exact official notice because it may list charcoal, briquettes, heat beads and hexamine specifically.
Can I use a gas stove during a park fire ban?
Only when the applicable fire authority and park manager both allow it and you follow every condition. Some park bans prohibit visitor-owned gas and electric cookers unless an exception is confirmed.
Is pouring one bucket of water enough?
Only if every ember and surrounding part of the fireplace is completely cold afterward. Usually you must soak, stir, expose hidden embers and repeat.
Can I burn rubbish in a campfire?
No. Take rubbish home or use approved bins. Plastics, treated timber, cans, glass and batteries can release toxins, explode or leave dangerous waste.
Sources and further reading
- NSW Rural Fire Service: Total Fire Ban rules
- NSW National Parks: Fire bans
- Country Fire Authority Victoria: Campfires
- Country Fire Authority Victoria: Can I or can’t I?
- Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA: Total Fire Bans
- National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia: Campfires and barbecues
- South Australian Country Fire Service: Campfire safety
Need a second opinion?
Ask Adrian before making the decision.
Tell us what you are choosing between, what matters most to you and what you have already checked.