Media release – Tasmania Fire Service, 15 December 2025
Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) has declared that fire permits will be required statewide from 0200 tomorrow, 16 December 2025.
“Following extensive consultation and a review of current and forecast conditions, the decision has been made to declare the commencement of the fire permits period in all Tasmanian municipalities,” Deputy Chief Officer Matt Lowe said.
“With several significant bushfires in recent weeks, along with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting that we are entering a period of enhanced fire weather over the coming week, and the long-range forecast indicating the likelihood of hot, dry and windy conditions for the rest of December, the need for increased management of planned burning activities is required.
“By introducing fire permits, we are implementing measures to allow Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) to mandate and monitor fires in the landscape during expected spikes in fire danger and mitigate the risk of bushfires as best as possible.”
“This declaration of a Fire Permit Period (FPP) does not stop landowners burning on their properties, a Fire Permit reduces the risk of escaped fires by promoting responsible use of fire and enables TFS to monitor controlled burning given the impending increased fire danger.“
People wishing to burn on their property can apply for a Permit. This can be done online via the TFS website or calling 1800 000 699.
Permits are free and contain clear conditions that will ensure burns are conducted as safely as possible.
“Aerial firefighting remains a critical part of our bushfire response, hitting the fires hard and fast to keep them as contained as possible, and getting vital information from above to help our ground crews plan and implement appropriate containment strategies,” said Lowe.
“Each year, the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) ensures all Australian states and territories have access to vital aviation resources during the critical bushfire season.
“Tasmania’s contingent of 15 aircraft will begin to arrive in the state tomorrow, and over the coming weeks.
“Our fleet will include a mix of firebombing, aerial supervision and aerial intelligence-gathering aircraft, eight helicopters and seven fixed-wing planes, including some equipped with amphibious floats that allow them to land on water,” he said.
“I’d like to remind people of the importance to be prepared this summer and to have a plan to keep safe if they’re impacted by a bushfire.”
“Know your risk, develop and practice bushfire plans, know how to access alerts and warnings through TasALERT.com or the TasALERT app,” said Lowe.
“Please visit our website – fire.tas.gov.au – and familiarise yourself with the Community Bushfire Protection Plan for your area.”
Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) State Fire Manager Katy Edwards said with a warmer and drier January forecast, PWS will implement a seasonal ban from 0200 on Saturday 20 December.
Seasonal campfire bans will apply to all national parks and reserves in within the Dorset, Break O’Day and Glamorgan-Spring Bay municipalities as well as Flinders Island, Maria Island and Narawntapu National Park, Tooms Lake Conservation Area and Snaky Creek Conservation Area.
“When conditions begin to dry, introducing a temporary campfire ban in higher risk parks helps us reduce the likelihood of accidental ignitions before it can escalate. Even a small, unattended campfire can trigger a major bushfire when conditions are right. Prevention is our strongest tool”, Edwards said.
“Information is available on the PWS website at: https://parks.tas.gov.au/campfires.”
For further information about:
Fire Permit Periods, Community Bushfire Protection Plans, and details on how to prepare for bushfire season, visit www.fire.tas.gov.au
Once Campfire restrictions are enacted by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service, information will be available on https://parks.tas.gov.au/
Media release – Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, 15 December 2025
Campfire bans to come into effect across national parks and reserves – what you need to know
Bushfire season is upon Tasmania, despite our cooler and wetter spring.
With a warmer and drier January forecast, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) will implement a seasonal ban from 2am on Saturday 20 December.
Campfires, pot fires, and other solid-fuel stoves will be banned at higher-risk PWS campgrounds, as sparks, embers and disposal of ash from pot fires can provide an ignition source.
Seasonal campfire bans will apply to all national parks and reserves in:
Within the Dorset, Break O’Day and Glamorgan-Spring Bay municipalities
Flinders Island and Maria Island
Narawntapu National Park
Tooms Lake Conservation Area
Snaky Creek Conservation Area
Last year there were 310 reports of unattended or illegal campfires on PWS managed land. This included 45 that were unattended and still alight when found by PWS staff. These pose a serious risk of escape and causing a bushfire.
PWS State Fire Manager Katy Edwards said the seasonal campfire bans are put in place to help protect visitors and communities, and to help protect important cultural and natural values of our parks and reserves.
“When conditions begin to dry, introducing a temporary campfire ban in higher risk parks helps us reduce the likelihood of accidental ignitions before it can escalate. Even a small, unattended campfire can trigger a major bushfire when conditions are right. Prevention is our strongest tool,” Edwards said.
“We ask visitors to our campground to check our website to see whether a campfire ban is in place for their area. Rangers will be patrolling these spots across the summer months, and we ask for everyone’s cooperation to keep Tassie’s parks, people and communities safe.”
Gas stoves and gas barbecues remain permitted.
More information on seasonal campfire bans is available on the PWS website at: www.parks.tas.gov.au/campfires
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