On days when fire danger is extreme or conditions would make a fire extremely difficult to control, the CFA can declare a total fire ban for one or more of the five total fire ban regions.

Each day, the CFA publishes an online map of Victoria showing the regions declared to be total fire ban regions or with fire restrictions. You can view the map and notes on what activities are banned on those days at: cfaonline.cfa.vic.gov.au.

Permits (issued by the CFA or DSE) to burn in the open are automatically revoked on total fire ban days. Only people or industries with special permits for total fire ban days can use fire in the open air, subject to stringent conditions. You cannot use an incinerator nor can you use welding, grinding, soldering or gas cutting equipment in the open air on those days (unless you have been issued a permit for an emergency). While you cannot use a solid fuel barbecue (including kettle-types), you can, with certain conditions, use portable gas and electric barbecues adjacent to permanent dwellings that have a water supply, and built-in gas or electric barbecues set up in public reserves or camp grounds.

The CFA strongly advises farmers to postpone the use of machinery such as tractors, slashers or chainsaws on total fire ban days.

See the CFA web site at www.cfa.vic.gov.au or contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Hotline on 1 800 240 667 for more details.