Lighting fires outdoors in Queensland is controlled by the Fire Services Act 1990 (the Act).  

The Act makes it illegal to light a fire without a 'Permit to Light Fire' issued by a Fire Warden, or other notification issued by the Commissioner. This means it’s against the law to light a fire outdoors without the correct permission. There are two types of permission: 

• A Commissioner Notification 
• A Permit to Light Fire (Permit) 

There is a current Commissioner notification that allows certain fires less than 2 metres in any dimension: 

“Provided that adequate precautions are taken to prevent the spread of fire, and the lighting of the fire conforms with any Local Law defined for a part of the Local Government Area administered by a Local Government in whose jurisdiction it is proposed to light  the fire, or the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1994, the following fires may be lit without a Permit to Light a Fire being issued by a Fire Warden. 

• A fire in which neither the height, width nor the length of the material to be consumed exceeds 2 metres; 
• A fire lit for the purpose of burning the carcass of a beast; 
• A fire lit at a sawmill for the purpose of burning sawdust or other residue resulting from the operations of a sawmill; 
• A fire lit outdoors for the purpose of cooking, if enclosed in a fireplace so constructed as to prevent the escape of fire or any burning material there from; 
• A cane fire may also be subject to a notification and may be lit under certain conditions. Please read the Cane Burning Notification (PDF, 643.5KB) to find out about eligibility and burning conditions needed to comply with this notification.” 

Do I need a permit?

You do not need a Permit to light certain fires including fires:

• smaller than 2 meters tall and 2 metres wide (this does not mean you can have multiple small fires)
• at a sawmill to burn sawdust
• enclosed in a fireplace for cooking or warmth
• cane fires, as long as you follow the requirements.

If you are unsure if you need a permit, please contact your local Fire Warden.

Under the Local Government Act 2009, a council may also have a local law restricting or banning fires in part or all of the local government area. If there is a law in your local government area banning the lighting of fires, you will need to obtain written permission from the local government. Check the Local Laws database or visit your local council’s website for more information.

You need a Permit to Light Fire for all other fires. A permit is a legal document issued by a QFD Fire Warden or Chief Fire Warden in their area. A permit gives you permission to light, manage, and use fire during specific times, on the land described, and under certain conditions that will be listed on your permit. It also lets the fire service know when and where you intend to burn to help make sure the fire stays under control.  

Permits in Queensland are FREE.  

Note: if you plan to mechanically clear native vegetation to burn, you may need to obtain a separate permit for clearing vegetation under Queensland’s Vegetation Management Laws.

Applying for a permit

An application for a ‘Permit to Light Fire’ is made through your local Fire Warden.  

When considering your application, the fire warden may impose conditions on a permit to reduce unwanted risk or nuisance to other people, property or to the environment. The fire warden may also refuse to issue a permit if they believe appropriate safety measures cannot be reasonably achieved.