Public Health Information

Rules for Backyard Burning

‘Backyard burning’ means the burning of piled-up or standing vegetation, as well as other material on urban blocks and rural-residential properties.

Backyard burning doesn’t include forestry burning or fuel hazard reduction burns undertaken by Government agencies, nor does it refer to small backyard fires that are solely used for heating and/or cooking. However, if you use a fire to get rid of unwanted garden or other waste, you are backyard burning.

In Tasmania, the main rules for backyard burning are in Part 4 of the Environmental Management and Pollution Control (Smoke) Regulations 2019. These rules apply across the whole State.

Please view the below fact sheet for further information.

Factsheet – Rules for Backyard Burning June 2019