Controlled Burning Permit

Who needs this permit

Farmers, smallholders, plantation owners, conservancies and land managers who need to burn firebreaks or manage veld with fire.

When is it required

Before every burn. Most municipalities and FPAs also require notice to neighbours and the fire brigade on the day.

Eligibility

• You own or lawfully occupy the land to be burnt
• You are a member of the local Fire Protection Association, where one exists
• You have the equipment and people to control the fire
• Weather conditions fall within the permitted fire danger rating

Documents you need before applying

• Completed burning permit application from the municipal fire services or FPA
• Map or sketch of the area to be burnt with firebreak positions
• Written notice to adjoining landowners
• List of firefighting equipment and personnel available on the day
• Contact numbers for the responsible person on site

How to apply — step by step

1. 1

   Join or contact your Fire Protection Association

   FPAs coordinate burning in a district and publish the fire danger index. Membership also affects how negligence is presumed if a fire escapes.

2. 2

   Apply for the permit and notify neighbours

   Give adjoining landowners written notice of the planned dates. Keep proof — it matters if there is a later dispute.

3. 3

   Confirm conditions on the day

   Check the fire danger rating, wind and humidity. Permits are usually void on red-flag or high-index days.

4. 4

   Notify the fire brigade before ignition

   A call to the municipal fire control room prevents wasted callouts and creates a record of the authorised burn.

5. 5

   Burn, mop up and report back

   Stay on site until the burn is fully extinguished, then confirm completion with the FPA or fire services.

Where, how much, how long

Common mistakes to avoid

• Burning without notifying neighbours, which shifts liability onto you
• Ignoring the fire danger index and burning on a high-risk day
• Leaving the site before the burn is fully out
• Assuming a farm-level permit covers burning inside an urban edge

Tips to speed up your application

• Burn early morning or late afternoon when humidity is higher and wind is lower
• Keep a water bowser or beaters on standby and a charged phone with signal
• Log the date, time, weather and people present — it is your best evidence later

Official sources

• Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
• Working on Fire / FPA information
• Your local municipality

Always confirm the latest requirements and fees on the official website before applying.

Frequently asked questions

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