MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Brucer on December 27, 2012, 07:20:28 PM
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I though it would be useful to explore relevant legislation concerning campfires; if and when they may be lit and if/when they may not. I'm not intending to start a debate here on when/if it is actually SAFE to light a fire, only whether it is legal. Fire safety is another topic.
According to the NSW Rural Fires Regulation 2008, a statutory bushfire danger period applies from Oct 1st to Mar 31st.
http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/dsp_content.cfm?cat_id=1114 (http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/dsp_content.cfm?cat_id=1114)
During this time a fire permit may be required depending on the type of fire, however reading further down the page a fire for cooking, boiling water, etc (i.e. a campfire), is exempt. It does also say that it must be in a permanently constructed fireplace but this is a poorly worded version of repealed legislation. (there should be an "or" between 1. and 2.) The current legislation has all reference to permanent constructed fireplace removed and simply says..
A person must not light a fire in the open to cook, heat or prepare meals
or to boil water or for any similar purpose unless the fire is lit at a site
surrounded by ground that is clear of all combustible matter for a
distance of at least 2 metres.
So as far as I am able to tell, it is lawful under NSW state legislation to light a cooking/campfire at any time of the year, provided the required safety conditions are met and of course assuming a total fire ban is not in force.
That's NSW. How about other states?
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Interesting subject, we are discussing options at the moment for how tolerant should we be for TFB and fire regs in state forest. Where does discretion end and the book come out.
Victoria - CFA act 1958 sec40 for total fire ban, no fires to be lit in the open, barbecues under certain conditions, even though called by CFA, covers all part of state that is declared including public land. 100 penalty units ($140.84c each so $14084) and or two years jail. ALL OWNUS IS ON THE PERSON LIGHTING AND MAINTAINING THE FIRE so "I didn't know" will mean a date with the magistrate. This offence is getting taken very seriously at the moment, especially by police.
www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/cfaa1958292 (http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/cfaa1958292)
In protected forest, forests act 1958 and forest recreation regulations 2010
http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_notes/LDMS/LTObject_Store/LTObjSt2.nsf/d1a8d8a9bed958efca25761600042ef5/562bb936081e8517ca257761001f3ca5/$FILE/58-6254a095.pdf (http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_notes/LDMS/LTObject_Store/LTObjSt2.nsf/d1a8d8a9bed958efca25761600042ef5/562bb936081e8517ca257761001f3ca5/$FILE/58-6254a095.pdf)
And
http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/LTObject_Store/LTObjSt4.nsf/d1a8d8a9bed958efca25761600042ef5/f8b441298a003e6aca25776100366fdb/$FILE/10-30sr001.doc (http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/LTObject_Store/LTObjSt4.nsf/d1a8d8a9bed958efca25761600042ef5/f8b441298a003e6aca25776100366fdb/$FILE/10-30sr001.doc)
It is pretty dry around here at the moment, and have put out at least a dozen abandoned campfires in the last couple of weeks.
If you think speeding is revenue collecting, infringement notices -
- unattended campfire or out of visual sight = $420
- not cleared around or above for 3 metres = $420
- larger than 1 metre square or fuel is over 1m in length = $420
http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/Domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/PubStatbook.nsf/93eb987ebadd283dca256e92000e4069/73523B745C8D57D9CA2577520021640F/$FILE/10-058sr.doc (http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/Domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/PubStatbook.nsf/93eb987ebadd283dca256e92000e4069/73523B745C8D57D9CA2577520021640F/$FILE/10-058sr.doc)
Edited to get links to work properly.
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- larger than 1 metre square or fuel is over 1m in length = $420
(http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/head-explode.gif)
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- larger than 1 metre square or fuel is over 1m in length = $420
you could clear the national debt with that one.. :o
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you could clear the national debt with that one.. :o
I reckon there's a few on here that are guilty of this one ;D
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I reckon there's a few on here that are guilty of this one ;D
Yea I believe in a fire you can keep warm infront of from 15ft away..