Total Fire Ban
This webpage offers general information on total fire ban restrictions in ACT Parks and Reserves.
The ACT Emergency Services Agency is responsible for issuing and announcing a Total Fire Ban to prevent fires from starting or spreading.
On Total Fire Ban days, you cannot light, use, or maintain an open fire.
To check if a Total Fire Ban is in place, visit the ACT Emergency Services Agency website.
Total Fire Ban restrictions
During a Total Fire Ban, many public areas in our Parks and Reserves will be closed or have restricted access. This includes:
- Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
- selected roads in Namadgi National Park (e.g. Mt Franklin Road, Old Mill Road, Warks Road, Corin Dam Road at Smokers Gap)
- Googong Foreshores
- Kowen Forest and Molonglo Gorge Nature Reserve
- Lower Molonglo River Corridor
- Canberra Centenary Trail (Hall to Mulligans Flat Woodlands Sanctuary)
- Mulligans Flat Woodlands Sanctuary.
Recreational areas may also close due to extreme fire weather forecasts, even without a Total Fire Ban in place. These closures are for public safety and will be notified on our website.
BBQs can still be used during a Total Fire Ban, but in our parks and reserves, all gas barbeques will be switched off. Electric barbeques will still be available at:
- the Cotter
- Casuarina Sands
- Pine Island
- the National Arboretum Canberra
- urban parks.
Before heading out, be sure to check the ESA Incident Map to see if the area is safe.