Burning in the open

Burning in the open is a common practice to reduce the risk of bushfires, manage agricultural land and to dispose of agricultural and forestry wastes. People also use open fires to cook food, prepare beverages, for domestic heating and as part of recreational activities (eg campfires).

However, smoke from these activities can impact on human health and the environment, and can also cause environmental nuisance. Smoke can be both odorous and irritating (eg can cause itchy eyes, runny nose, sore throat and coughing). Smoke from burning in the open also contributes to fine particle pollution (particularly PM_2.5) which can aggravate existing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and can have other health effects. There is also no clear threshold below which health effects do not occur.

Health impacts are higher leading into the cooler months as smoke is a significant contributor to poor localised air quality and although they may enjoy an outdoor fire, there are people in their neighbourhood such as the elderly, those with respiratory diseases or have young children who are more susceptible.

The rules minimise the health impacts of wood smoke, and allow people to still enjoy outdoor activities.

In South Australia, burning in the open (which includes burning in a domestic incinerator) is managed by local government using provisions in the Environment Protection (Air Quality) Policy 2016.

Management of burning in the open in South Australia

The scope of the previous Environment Protection (Burning) Policy 1994 was extended under the Air Quality Policy to ensure equivalent air quality standards for all built up areas in South Australia and to limit the impacts of smoke on human health and amenity.

The new provisions aim to minimise smoke impacts in populated areas by providing different requirements for the management of burning in the open inside and outside metropolitan Adelaide and townships.

The policy (clauses 5 and 6) will allow councils to better manage burning in their area by tailoring it to the needs of their community and circumstances and by providing flexibility in administration and management.

The following chart shows how burning in the open is regulated inside metropolitan Adelaide and townships, and outside metropolitan Adelaide and townships.

Notice to Adelaide Hills residents

If you live in the Adelaide Hills Council area, a number of changes have taken effect in relation to burning in the open now that the Air Quality Policy 2016 has come into operation, including the management of burning for bushfire hazard reduction, disposal of agricultural and forestry waste and backyard burning in townships.

These changes and others are highlighted on the Adelaide Hills Council website

Frequently asked questions

When can I burn inside metropolitan Adelaide and townships?

Clause 5 of the policy allows burning in the open within metropolitan Adelaide and townships where it is for:

preparation of food or beverages
heating an outdoor area using a brazier, chiminea or fire pit – charcoal only
fire prevention or control – requires council approval (this may be by individual permit or general notice published in a newspaper)
disposal of agricultural or forestry waste – requires council approval (this may be by individual permit or by general notice published in a newspaper)
other – requires council approval through written consent or general notice.

When can I burn outside metropolitan Adelaide and townships

Clause 5 of the policy allows burning in the open outside of metropolitan Adelaide and townships where it is for:

preparation of food or beverages
heating an outdoor area using a brazier, chiminea or fire pit – charcoal, dry timber or other plant matter only
fire prevention or control – no permit needed. However burning is to be conducted in accordance with S A CFS Vegetation Pile Burning Code of Practice 2015
disposal of agricultural or forestry waste – no permit needed. However, where relevant, burning is to be conducted in accordance with the SA CFS Broad Acre Burning Code of Practice for 2015
recreational purposes (recreational purposes includes campfires, scouting, similar outdoor activities, etc)
other – requires council approval through written consent or general notice.

Is backyard burning permitted?

It depends on your location and the type of burning. Please refer to the above graphic for a summary of burning in the open requirements.

However, it is prohibited to burn certain substances in all locations and at all times. This includes treated timber, tyres, plastics and listed wastes (specified in Schedule 1 Part B of the EP Act).

Backyard burning is policed by local councils and people breaching the policy can be subject to a fine.

You should contact your local Fire Prevention Officer or Environmental Health Officer at your council for more information.

What can I burn when preparing food and beverages?

Only dry wood, charcoal or dry plant material may be used.

Burning wood for the primary purpose of cooking or preparing beverages – for example, a barbeque or pizza oven – is allowed. However, the fire must be primarily built for that purpose. It should be of a size that is appropriate and not be re-fueled after cooking.

What can I burn when heating an outdoor area? (eg in a fire pit, brazier, chiminea or outdoor wood/combustion heater)?

If you are using a fire pit, brazier, chiminea or outdoor wood/combustion heater, you can only burn:

charcoal – inside metropolitan Adelaide and townships.
dry wood, charcoal or dry plant material – outside metropolitan Adelaide and townships.

Why am I only allowed to use charcoal when burning inside metropolitan Adelaide or townships for the purposes of heating an outdoor area?

If you are burning in a brazier, chiminea or fire pit in metropolitan Adelaide or a township and it is for the purpose of heating an outdoor area, you must use charcoal.

Charcoal produces less smoke than wood and the requirement to use charcoal is to minimise the impacts of smoke on surrounding neighbours and any corresponding health and amenity impacts.

If you want to burn wood for a comfort fire, you need a permit from your council.

Is it permissible to burn CCA (copper chrome arsenate) treated timber or painted timber?

Burning timber treated with CCA, creosote or other preservatives or painted timber is an environmentally unacceptable practice, and is prohibited under clause 7 of the Air Quality Policy. High risks to health and the larger environment are associated with such activity. Ash and fumes can contaminate the local area with heavy metals (eg arsenic), and contamination can migrate in water.

Can I burn plastic and other household rubbish?

No, burning plastic, tyres, treated timber and listed wastes (Schedule 1 Part B of the EP Act) is prohibited under the Air Quality Policy.

Who can I contact to report excessive smoke from burning?

Contact your local council. They are responsible for dealing with this issue.

Under clause 5 of the Air Quality Policy, the burning of agricultural waste or forestry waste is permitted in metropolitan Adelaide or townships provided a person has a permit under clause 6 of the policy. Where burning occurs outside of metropolitan Adelaide or townships a person must burn in accordance with the relevant recommendations of the SA CFS Broad Acre Burning Code of Practice for 2015.

Am I allowed to burn wood as excess fuel for fire management purposes?

Yes. Burning in the open for fuel reduction purposes is an important part of reducing bushfire risk on some properties, however in some locations consent from the local council is required before the burn can occur.

If you are inside metropolitan Adelaide or a township, burning in the open for fire prevention or control requires council approval either through an individual permit or general notice published in a newspaper.

If you are outside of metropolitan Adelaide or a township, burning in the open can occur without a permit provided it is according to the requirements of the SA CFS Vegetation Rubbish Pile Burning Code of Practice 2015.

The Air Quality Policy does not apply in relation to an activity undertaken in connection with fire-fighting (which includes fire prevention) or any other activity undertaken by a person pursuant to an authority given under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005.

Council’s ability to give permission to burn in the open

Councils will continue to manage burning in their area and determine the approach that is best for their commuinities.

Under the Air Quality Policy a ‘permit’ includes a notice in writing to a person or a notice published in a newspaper circulating with in a council area and on a council’s website. This allows Councils the flexibility to issue permits and general notices to regulate burning of agricultural or forestry waste, burning off vegetation for fire prevention control or to allow burning of vegetation for any other purpose.

Circumstances where the Air Quality Policy does not apply to burning in the open

The Air Quality Policy does not apply to burning undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005, or burning undertaken under prescribed legislation such as the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, Wilderness Protection Act 1992, Crown Land Management Act 2009, Forestry Act 1950 or Native Vegetation Act 1991.

Further information

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