Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony & Fire Regulations
Fire Safety and Regulations in Metropolitan Fire District for Smoking Ceremonies and Ceremonial Fires
The MFB works closely with all community groups to ensure that ceremonial fires are used safely and meet the requirements of the Country Fire Authority (CFA) Act 1958 Section 40.
Total Fire Ban Days
On Declared Total Fire Ban Days, a permit may be granted to light a fire if the fire is necessary for the purpose of carrying on the works of a -
• Community charitable organisation
• Municipal council
• Statutory corporation
• Industrial operation or trade or;
• Public entertainment
Non Fire Ban Days
On all days where no total Fire Ban has been declared, contact your local municipal council to ensure you comply with by-laws when planning a smoking ceremony or ceremonial fire.
Smoking and Ceremonial Fires Safety
Unless there are exceptional circumstances a permit may not be granted and a smoking ceremony or ceremonial fire may need to be postponed.
The below advice should be followed for all ceremonial fires in the open air:
• Always keep a 3 metre clear area around the fire
• Only use natural dry wood
• Never use petrol or other chemicals to light a fire
• Don’t put items such as plastic or glass into a fire
• Supervise a fire at all times, don’t walk away
• Always supervise children around fires
• Extinguish wood fires with water
• Ensure a fire is cold before leaving
To apply for a permit contact the local MFB District Office closest to the site where the ceremony is to be held.
| District Office |
Address |
Phone/Fax |
|
Southern
& Eastern
|
100 Atherton Road,
Oakleigh Vic 3166
|
Phone: 9665 4525
Fax: 9563 4201
|
|
Northern
|
1st Floor
152 Plenty Road,
Preston Vic 3072
|
Phone: 9665 4504
Fax: 9416 8600
|
|
Central
|
Ground Floor,
456 Albert Street,
East Melbourne Vic 3002
|
Phone: 9665 4501
Fax: 9665 4510
|
|
Western
|
30-32 McIntyre Road,
Sunshine Vic 3020
|
Phone: 9665 4358
Fax: 9312 1017
|