Fire at Blazing Swan

 

Although we have plenty of open space at Blazing Swan, there’s also plenty of dry grass and bushland that’s highly flammable at the end of summer. In addition to this, we have many tents and structures on site made of highly flammable materials. As a result, we need strict controls in place to balance our desire to burn with public safety.

Please make yourself familiar with our rules and guidelines for the safe use of fire at Blazing Swan, and if you have any questions please contact the Blazing Swan Fire Lead at fire@blazingswan.com.au

Be Safe

 

For your safety, when you are near burning structures, artworks, burn barrels, fire performances etc. please respect any perimeters or exclusion zones that have been put in place and always follow the directions of Rangers, JRC Fire Fighters and Safety Team Members.

If any circumstance, or a change in conditions at the event, indicates an increased fire risk to patrons, additional safety measures may be introduced, up to and including a Total Fire Ban on site, and will be enforced by Event Management and Fire and Safety Authorities.

Prohibited Burn Facilities and Burn Activities


Prohibited in all areas:

• Pressurised liquid fuel flame effects.
• Ground fires, including fire pits or any style of campfire, unless part of an approved
art installation or Aboriginal cultural activity.

Prohibited in designated General Camping areas:
• Candles
• Tiki Torches
• Burn Barrels
• Ground fires, including fire pits or any style of campfire.
• Fire performances, including non-performing workshops or practice.
• Art Installation Fires
• Gas Flame Effects
• Liquid Fuel Flame Effects
• Mutant Vehicle / Art Car Flame Effects
• Pyrotechnics

Permitted Burn Facilities and Burn Activities

Permission for some uses of fire may be granted within specified areas by a member of
the Blazing Swan Fire Team. The following list of burn activities may be permitted
depending on the current fire risk rating.

Permitted in all areas, as per safety guidelines and manufacturer’s instructions:
• Gas Cookers (LPG, butane or propane)
• Barbeques and Ovens
• Gas Outdoor Heaters

Permitted in the Theme Camp Zone, but only if a Burn Permit has been granted:
• Tiki Torches
• Burn Barrels
• Art Installation Fires

Permitted in the Theme Camp Zone, but only if a Burn Permit has been granted and
appropriate insurance is in place:
• Gas Flame Effects
• Liquid Fuel Flame Effects (non-pressurised)
• Mutant Vehicle / Art Car Flame Effects
• Pyrotechnics (by licenced technician)
• Fire Performances i.e. fire spinning/dancing activities

FAQ

Candles and Tiki Torches

These fires are small and may seem “safe” but candles and tiki torches can easily be knocked over and start much bigger fires. If you intend to have candles or tiki torches at your theme camp you will need a Burn Permit.

Burn Barrels

Burn barrels are not permitted in General Camping areas and require a Burn Permit in Theme Camp areas.

Burn Barrels are above ground, wood burning structures. They may be a simple 44 gallon drum, shop bought (above ground) fire pit, or they may look more artistic and sculpted. The general purpose of burn barrels is to keep event participants warm at night. They are only permitted to burn wood, never rubbish.

If you intend to have a burn barrel at your theme camp you must:

  1. Apply for a Burn Barrel on your Theme Camp Registration Form.
  2. Download the Burn Barrel Inspection Form and have it ready to use.
  3. Once on site, have your burn barrel inspected. You may only light your burn barrel once it has been inspected and approved for use.
Burn Barrel Inspection Form

Gas Cookers and Barbeques

If you have a standard, off-the-shelf, gas stove, camping cooker or barbeque at your theme camp, you do not need to apply for a Burn Permit. You must, however, use these appliances in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

However, if you have a gas cooker, barbeque or some other cooking/roasting/toasting/reheating device, that you have modified from standard, or have built yourself, you must submit a Fire Application Form to have it assessed for use.

Gas Outdoor Heaters

“Gas Outdoor Heaters” refers to standard, off-the-shelf, heaters sold at hardware and camping stores, designed to be used outdoors to generate heat. These are permitted throughout the event site but must be used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. They are NOT permitted to be used inside any structures or on vehicles. (No, you can’t put one in your geodome to heat it up.)

You do not need a Burn Permit for a standard, off-the-shelf, gas outdoor heater.

Fire Performances

Fire performances of any kind are not permitted in General Camping areas and require a Burn Permit in Theme Camp areas and performers MUST hold appropriate insurance.

Fire performances refer to any acts or performances done by individuals or groups that involve fire in any way. This is commonly seen as fire spinning at Blazing Swan but can include fire as part of a stage act in a theme camp, or fire as part of a workshop. If you are planning a performance or workshop involving fire, please submit a Fire Application Form. You will be contacted by the Blazing Swan Fire Lead to discuss the details of your performance and necessary safety measures.

Fire spinning spaces are permitted at any theme camp which can create a safe space as per the Fire Management Manual. If you would like to create a fire spinning space at your theme camp (where performers can come and spin fire any evening), please email fire@blazingswan.com.au and we will email you the information you need.

Additionally, Fire Tribe theme camp will run a nightly fire spinning space open to all fire folk at Blazing Swan. Recosol G fire fuel and all safety equipment will be provided. Please bring your own fire spinning props and wear suitable clothing.

Art Installation Fires

If you intend for your art installation to incorporate fire in any way, or if it’s to be burnt at any stage during the Blazing Swan event, you must submit this information for assessment as part of your Blazing Swan Art Installation Application.  This information must come in the form of a Burn Plan and Ignition Plan.

View our Art Installation Fire Guidelines for more information

In order to have any form of fire on your art installation, or to burn it during Blazing Swan, you must:

  1. Submit a Blazing Swan Art Installation Application to the Blazing Swan Art Lead.
  2. Include a Burn Plan and Ignition Plan within this application.
  3. Incorporate any recommended modifications or safety measures requested from the Blazing Swan Fire Lead or Art Lead into your design/plan.
  4. Have the final incarnation of your Art Installation assessed for compliance on site by the Fire Lead and Art Lead (possibly also the Safety Lead and JRC Fire Chief). This means you will need to set it up and test it (where reasonably practicable) before a Burn Permit is issued.

Mutant Vehicle Flame Effects

“Mutant Vehicle Flame Effects” refers to fire of any kind on a vehicle. This includes but is not limited to; gas flame effects, liquid fuel flame effects, blow torches, tiki lights, fire spinning etc Basically, if it burns in any way and you want to put it on a vehicle of any kind, you must apply for a Burn Permit by filling in a Fire Application Form. You will then be contacted by the Fire Lead to discuss your ideas and whether or not they can be safety executed at the event.

Pyrotechnics

Pyrotechnics and fireworks at Blazing Swan may only be used/fired/operated by the licensed pyrotechnics contractor approved by Blazing Swan Inc. and appropriately licensed pyrotechnics operators working under that contractor.

Any pyrotechnics or fireworks which are used/fired/operated by anyone other than the approved contactor and their appropriately licensed pyrotechnics operators are illegal and not permitted at the event.

If you are a licensed pyrotechnics operator and wish to use/fire/operate pyrotechnics or fireworks at Blazing Swan, please submit a Fire Application Form. Your application will be assessed by the Fire Lead, Safety Lead and Blazing Swan Committee and discussed with you further.

Fuel and Hazardous Material Storage

Storage of hazardous or combustible materials (e.g. gas bottles, liquid fuel) should be planned before arriving at the event.

All fuel and flammable materials should be secured in appropriate containers, clearly marked, stored in a safe and secure area, located a minimum of 15m away from any open flame (this includes smoking).

You will be given more information on Fuel and Hazardous Material storage as part of your Fire Application Form assessment.

Keeping Fire Information Up-to-Date

We endeavour to keep this information as up-to-date and correct as possible with periodic reviews and amendments. If you think something on this page is incorrect, out of date or doesn’t make sense, please email fire@blazingswan.com.au