Today marks the beginning of the bushfire season in Kiama.

If you want to conduct a burn, you will need a fire permit from your local rural fire service brigades. Fire permits are free, and ensure household burn offs remain safe and controlled. 

Rural Fire Service Inspector David Bartlett says the new processes are easy to follow, it’s about knowing what has changed.

“Anyone on a rural property who wants to do some pile burning or light a fire, they're going to need a fire permit from the rural fire service,” 

“Apply online through the Rural Fire Service website… we’ll have a volunteer come out and do an assessment to ensure the fire you’re looking at is going to be safe.”  

You can also obtain a permit from local rural fire service stations or from the Illawarra Fire Control Centre on Airport Road in Albion Park.

The permits go through digitally, and once that has been obtained, households will need to reach out to Kiama Municipal Council for further approval.

Council has a no burn policy, which means they will consider burn-off applications for properties over one acre that ‘carry out rural activities’.

If both applications are approved, you must notify your local fire authority and neighbours of your intention to burn at least 24 hours in advance. 

David says the best way to prepare your property for a bushfire is getting a plan in order that will suit you best. 

“The best thing they can do is ensure they’ve got a bushfire survival plan in plan, whether they’re looking to stay and defend their property or leave.”

Keeping up to date with road closures and active bushfires is crucial to leaving safely.

David suggests monitoring fire activity, planning out the trip to make sure you’re not driving into bushland and doing all of this without delay. 

“If they’re leaving, they’ve got to leave early.” 

If the plan is to stay put, the bushfire survival plan will help ensure your home is well prepared. 

The Bush Fire Danger Period runs from 1 October until 31 March.

For more information on the Bush Fire Danger Period and requirements around safe burning, visit the RFS website. For Council applications, visit their website.