Sitting around a campfire can be one of the best parts of camping, but it also carries real responsibility. Escaped campfires are a recognised cause of bushfires, and a fire that appears extinguished can continue smouldering and reignite later. Knowing when a fire is appropriate, how to manage it safely, and when not to light one is an essential outdoor skill.

Not all parks, reserves or campgrounds allow campfires. Rules vary between states and territories, individual parks, seasons and periods of elevated fire danger. Some areas prohibit campfires permanently, while others introduce seasonal restrictions or temporary fire bans. I always check the relevant park authority and fire service before a trip, as well as campground signage when I arrive. If fires aren’t clearly permitted, I don’t light one.

Before you even consider a campfire, it’s critical to understand broader bushfire awareness and safety for hikers, particularly during warmer months and periods of elevated fire risk.

When not to light a fire

Campfires are not explicitly permitted at the campground or location
A seasonal campfire ban, park fire ban or other local fire restriction is in force
A Total Fire Ban applies to the area
Strong winds, hot temperatures or dry conditions make it unsafe, even if fires are technically permitted
You cannot supervise the fire continuously
You do not have enough water to extinguish it completely
The location, fireplace or surrounding conditions are unsuitable
Local advice from rangers, land managers or fire authorities recommends against fires

Seasonal and local restrictions can prohibit campfires, solid-fuel stoves or other types of fire even when no Total Fire Ban has been declared. Restrictions can also change at short notice, so checking conditions before leaving home is important.

If any of these conditions apply, I don’t light a fire. A fuel stove, warm clothing and appropriate shelter usually provide safer alternatives without the risks associated with an open fire.

Campfire rules vary across Australia

There isn’t a single set of campfire rules that applies to every park and campground in Australia. State and territory fire authorities, park agencies and other land managers can impose different rules depending on the location and conditions.

For example:

Victoria: In national and state parks, campfires are generally restricted to purpose-built fireplaces provided by the park. Different rules may apply in other types of parks and on other public land.
New South Wales: Campfires may only be permitted in designated fireplaces in many national parks, and NSW National Parks can impose park fire bans in addition to Total Fire Bans.
Tasmania: Some parks and reserves are permanent Fuel Stove Only Areas, while seasonal campfire bans can also be introduced across other areas when fire risk increases.

Other states and territories have their own requirements. Rules can also differ between parks within the same jurisdiction, so never assume that what was permitted on one trip will be permitted somewhere else.

Check both the relevant park or land manager and the state or territory fire authority before your trip. On arrival, follow signs and any directions from rangers or emergency authorities. Local restrictions and signs take precedence over general advice.

Campfire safety checklist

Use this checklist before lighting any campfire:

Are campfires permitted here? Check the park, campground or land manager’s current rules. If signage or official information is unclear, don’t light one.
Are any fire restrictions in force? Check for seasonal campfire bans, park fire bans, Total Fire Bans and other local restrictions that may apply during your trip.
Is this an approved place for a fire? Use an existing fireplace, fire ring or designated fire area where required. Don’t create a new fire site unless local rules specifically allow it.
Are the conditions safe? Consider wind, temperature, dryness, surrounding vegetation and forecast conditions, not simply whether a fire is legally permitted.
Who will supervise the fire? A responsible adult should remain in attendance and maintain continuous visual contact with the fire. Follow any additional supervision requirements imposed by the local authority.
Do you have enough water? Have sufficient water immediately available to extinguish the fire completely. Some jurisdictions specify minimum quantities, so check local requirements.
Can you extinguish it with water? Don’t rely on soil or sand alone. They can insulate hot material and allow embers to continue smouldering.
Can you leave enough time to put it out properly? A fire needs to be completely extinguished before you sleep or leave the site. Ashes and remaining material should be cold, with no hidden heat or smouldering embers.

Lighting a campfire where it isn’t permitted, breaching a fire ban or leaving a fire unattended may be an offence and can result in substantial penalties. More importantly, an escaped campfire can threaten other people, communities and the environment.

If fires are permitted, how do you start one?

Knowing how to light a campfire properly matters, but the first step is always confirming that a fire is permitted and conditions are suitable.

Choosing and preparing the fire site

Where a campground provides a fireplace, fire ring or other designated fire area, I use it rather than creating a new one.

I check the area around and above the fireplace for dry grass, leaf litter, overhanging vegetation, tents, packs and other combustible material. The required clearance around a fire differs between jurisdictions, so I follow the local rules and provide as much separation from flammable material as practical.

I also have water ready before lighting the fire rather than waiting until it needs to be extinguished.

In parks and reserves, don’t assume you can collect firewood, branches, bark or other natural material. Collection is prohibited in many protected areas because fallen timber and vegetation provide habitat and nutrients. Where firewood is required, check whether it must be brought with you or obtained from an approved source.

For a small fire, you generally need three sizes of fuel:

Tinder: Fine, readily ignited material or a suitable fire starter
Kindling: Small, dry pieces that establish the flame
Fuel wood: Larger pieces added gradually once the fire is established

Only use material that you are legally permitted to burn or collect.

Teepee fire build

The teepee method is a simple way to establish a small campfire:

Place a small amount of tinder in the centre
Arrange kindling loosely around it in a teepee shape
Leave gaps between pieces so air can circulate
Light the tinder and allow the kindling to establish
Add larger fuel gradually rather than building a large fire immediately
Keep the fire only as large as necessary

Never build a larger fire simply because there is space available. Smaller fires require less fuel, are easier to control and are easier to extinguish completely.

Lighting your fire

Matches or lighter

Where fires are permitted and conditions are suitable, a lighter or matches are usually the simplest way to ignite prepared tinder and kindling. Keep spare ignition methods dry and protected when hiking.

Firesteel

A firesteel produces hot sparks that can ignite suitable tinder and can be useful when matches are damp or unreliable. It still requires properly prepared dry tinder and practice to use effectively.

A firesteel doesn’t make it safe to light a fire in poor conditions. I don’t attempt to light an open fire in strong winds or when fire restrictions apply, regardless of the ignition method available.

Lighting a fire using friction

Friction methods using wood require considerable practice and suitable materials. They’re useful skills to understand, but they don’t override park rules or fire restrictions. Practise fire-lighting techniques only where fires are permitted and conditions are safe.

Campfire safety and extinguishing

I never leave a campfire unattended. Before sleeping, leaving camp or moving away from the site, the fire has to be completely extinguished.

Water is the preferred method:

Pour water slowly over the fire and remaining embers
Stir the ashes and coals to expose hidden hot material
Rotate or separate partially burnt pieces of wood and wet them thoroughly
Add more water and stir again
Continue until there is no smoke, steam, glowing material or remaining heat

Don’t rely on covering a fire with soil or sand. This can hide and insulate hot coals rather than extinguishing them.

I check carefully for hidden heat and stray embers around the fireplace. The remains of the fire need to be cold before I leave. Hot coals can retain heat for hours, including after rain, so I start extinguishing the fire well before I’m ready to leave camp.

If I don’t have enough water to extinguish a campfire properly, I don’t light one in the first place.

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