Fire Prevention

Fire Danger Season

Tuesday 15th of October 2026 - Thursday 15th April 2027.

The fire danger season for Cleve District is Tuesday the 15th of October 2026 to Thursday the 15th of April 2027. During this period, you must apply for a permit to use fire outdoors at any time.

During the fire danger season, it is prohibited to burn in the open without a permit.  Permits will be issued during the fire danger season under the following conditions:

1. Permits will be issued from Tuesday the 15th of October 2026 to Tuesday 10th of November 2026, for the purpose of burning off around buildings only at permit officer’s discretion.
2. No permits will be issued from Wednesday 11th of November 2026 to Monday 1st of March 2027 during the Fire Danger Season, except under special circumstances authorised by the Group Officer, Fire Prevention Officer and Permit Issuer.
3. Conditional burning permits to be issued from Monday 1st of March 2027 to Thursday 15th of April 2027.
4. No burning off is permitted before 12pm or on weekends and public holidays, including Easter Weekend (inclusive of Good Friday and Easter Monday).
5. When lighting a fire, permit holders are to notify adjoining landowners, Council and the CFS of their permit number, location, type of material and approximate area to be burnt.
6. No maximum limit shall apply to the number of days that a permit is valid during the Fire Danger Season.
7. Two able-bodied adults and at least 400L of water must be in attendance.

Authorised Fire Permit Officers

Conditions pertaining to permits issued by Authorised Officers:

1. No permits issued between Wednesday 11th of November 2026 to Monday 1st of March 2027 (dates may change due to seasonal conditions)
2. 24 hour notice before permit issued
3. No lighting before 12pm, no weekends or public holiday burning
4. Permit holders are to notify adjoining landowners, Council and CFS of the following:
5. Permit Number
6. Location – use rural property address (not section number or hundreds)
7. Type of burn
8. Approximate area to be burnt

It is recommended that farmers fit fire fighting units to chaser bins as an added precaution.

Phone Numbers

The Fire Prevention Officer for the Council is Robert Haines, Regulatory Officer who can be contacted at the District Council of Cleve on 08 86282004

The Manager of Infrastructure & Civil Works, Grant Crosby, can be contacted at the District Council of Cleve on 0427 282707 or 08 86282004

Please contact the CFS Hotline on 1300 362 361 or visit the CFS website for fire ban and other information.

Grain Harvesting Code of Practice

The Grain Harvesting Code of Practice can be accessed here.

Harvest Ban:

Grain Dryers

Please note when using grain dryers, ensure adequate fire prevention measures are in place and fire equipment is onsite and readily available to use. Permits are required for grain dryer use from your local authorised Fire Permit Officer (see above).

The below policy sets out the rules that apply when operating a grain dryer within the fire danger season, in particular the harvest period within the district.

Policy 5.5 Permit Conditions Grain Dryers