Local fire bans can be imposed over an entire local government area (LGA), such as Noosa, however not over individual towns or areas within an LGA. This can cause confusion if a fire ban is not in place for whole Noosa LGA, when some rural areas within Noosa, such as Federal and Pomona, are close to another shire that does have a fire ban in place.

The decisions surrounding fire bans are made by the Queensland Rural Fire Service, using the services of a meteorologist and with careful consideration of predicted conditions and weather forecasts, including levels of humidity. When these indicate that fires may be difficult to control and pose danger to communities, a local fire ban is declared prior to the expected change. These conditions are continually monitored to enable a quick introduction of fire bans as necessary.

Information regarding fire bans in Queensland is available at www.qfes.qld.gov.au/safety-education/using-fire-outdoors/fire-bans-and-restrictions#:~:text=When%20predicted%20conditions%20and%20weather,to%20impose%20a%20local%20fire

Fire bans also restrict some businesses and industries from their normal operations, so conditions are very carefully considered before declaring a fire ban over an entire LGA, however anyone wishing to light a fire in Queensland, apart from small backyard fire pits or burning garden litter (please check local laws with your local Council before doing so) must obtain a permit. These are issued by the Fire Warden of your local Rural Fire Service, and at times a permit may be declined for your specific area even when there is no fire ban in place for the whole LGA. Fire Wardens base their decisions on local conditions and risks at the time rather than an LGA wide approach.

Further information regarding lighting fires in Queensland is available at www.qfes.qld.gov.au/safety-education/using-fire-outdoors/lighting-fires-in-queensland

To find information on your local Fire Warden, please search your address at www.qfes.qld.gov.au/safety-education/using-fire-outdoors/fire-wardens and then click on the map to be show the contact details.

Further information

It is vitally important that everyone, especially those in isolated areas or near bushland, has emergency evacuation plans in place and prepare as best as possible for disasters such as fires and floods. Information to assist in these preparations can be found at www.getready.qld.gov.au.

Please also keep this link to Noosa Council’s Disaster Dashboard handy as it is regularly updated with important information, such as road closures and where/when evacuation centres are activated, during any such events https://disaster.noosa.qld.gov.au

More useful and vital links are below:

Please do not take any risks during fire season, as it is often one minor decision or action, that can lead to the devastation of a community.