27/09/2026
๐ฅ PILE BURNS โ KNOW THE RULES
Last night, Fire and Rescue NSW Station 081 Windsor responded to reports of an explosion along with Fire and Rescue NSW Station 082 Richmond in Windsor Downs.
On arrival, firefighters found a pile approximately 6m x 6m alight. The burn did not have the required permit, and crews took action to make the area safe.
Pile burning can be a useful way of managing vegetation, but lighting a pile doesnโt simply mean stacking vegetation and setting it alight.
For a pile burn to comply with the applicable requirements, there are several things to consider:
๐ฅ Size matters โ Piles should be no greater than 2m long x 2m wide x 1.5m high.
๐ฟ Only appropriate dead and dry vegetation from the property should be burnt โ not household rubbish, plastics, treated timber, tyres or other waste.
๐ The pile needs to be safely positioned away from buildings, fences, powerlines and other hazards.
๐ Council approval and/or a Fire Permit may be required, depending on where and when youโre burning. Hawkesbury City Council has its own open-burning approval requirements.
๐ Where notification is required, the relevant authorities and adjoining neighbours must be notified at least 24 hours before lighting the fire.
๐ซ If a Total Fire Ban is announced, all permits are cancelled. A permit does not override a Total Fire Ban or No Burn Notice.
Not sure whether your pile is legal? Check before you light.