18 December, 2012 10:54AM AWST

More total fire ban days are on the way says DFES

Know what a total fire ban is and how it affects you

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The Department of Fire and Emergency Services would like a fire free Christmas. One in which the community is well aware of what a total fire ban means.

There were 10 total fire bans declared around the state in the spring, compared to two last year, according to DFES.

With a total fire ban for the city "simply a matter of time", the metro area needs to be just as aware of fire danger ratings and what they mean as people in the country.

Phil Cribb, Chief Superintendent for country south, points to better diagnostic tools as one of the reasons there have been more fire bans declared with season.

"Now, we have a lot better systems and software to identify fire weather that's coming our way," he says.

DFES works in conjunction with local government to declare fire bans, acting on advice from the weather bureau.

"(It's) based on the fuel on the ground, the temperature, the wind, relative humidity," Phil explains.

The fire danger rating at the high end might be very high, extreme or catastrophic, he adds. "If it's catastrophic, it's going to be very difficult to pull up.

"We work with local governments to put a total fire ban to stop fires starting on days when we would find it very difficult to pull up."

Ignoring fire bans can carry significant penalties, Phil points out; up to 12 months imprisonment or a $25,000 fine.

However, the department would rather prevent than punish, he says. "Our aim is to educate and have an informed community."

DFES, he stresses, doesn't declare total fire bans without good reason. "We just don't want a fire to start on those dangerous fire weather days."

"Farmers in grain growing areas are very much aware of the vehicle and harvest bans and they all dovetail in together with the overriding one being a total fire ban," says Phil.

Knowledge of the warning system and awareness of the dangers inherent is growing, he feels.

"It's about having people aware not just of total fire bans, it's making sure that they're familiar with the restricted and prohibited burning period."

Do's and don'ts on TFB days

During a Total Fire Ban you can:

* use an electric barbecue,
* use a gas barbecue with an enclosed flame,
* use a gas or electric barbecue in a local park, if strict conditions are followed,
* use a chainsaw, grass trimmer or lawn mower in built up areas,
* use a generator in built up areas, and
* use equipment and machinery in built up areas.

During a Total Fire Ban you cannot:

* carry out any activity in the open air that causes or is likely to cause a fire,
* perform grinding, welding or other forms of 'hot works' in the open air,
* light, maintain or use a fire in the open air,
* use a solid fuel BBQ, requiring wood or charcoal, and
* burn leaves, garden waste and grass cuttings, or use an incinerator.

The DFES website will give you all the information about total fire bans and harvest bans. There's also a TFB information line, 1800 709 355.