Total fire bans and park fire bans
During periods of extreme fire weather, the Commissioner of the Rural Fire Service may declare a Total Fire Ban. No fire can be lit during the period when a Total Fire Ban has been declared. This includes wood and heat bead BBQs however, gas BBQs are permitted as long as there is a ready source of water. Landholders who have received a hazard reduction permit from the Rural Fire Service to undertake prescribed burning are also not allowed to light up during Total Fire Bans.
To find out where and when a Total Fire Ban has been declared, visit the NSW Rural Fire Service web page on www.bushfire.nsw.gov.au/
Even when a Total Fire Ban has not been declared, DECC may declare a Park Fire Ban or even close particular reserves where the potential risk to visitors from fire is high. This will include reserves with limited access (eg: only one road in and out), with a high or very high overall fuel hazard or reserves where all visitor access sites are upslope from vegetated areas.
Reserves to which a Park Fire Ban applies or that have been closed due to fire are listed ion the DECC homepage under fires, floods and park closures at www.environment.nsw.gov.au/index.htm