Wood fires can only be lit in one of the halved 44 gallon drums in the prepared and sanded areas around site.

Gas and other fuel cookers and lighting etc can only be used in the prepared and sanded communal kitchen spaces provided.

And only when local
Fire Restrictions allow.

Wood fires are not to be lit anywhere on Total Fire Ban days.If in doubt please ask at the information area for the current Fire Restriction status.

Candles are not to be used
anywhere at ConFest.

If you wish to use candles for a spiritual or other ceremony please contact directors (at) dte.org.au beforehand to discuss your idea as there are permits to apply for and comply with.

Please be conscious and aware around fire, and be sure that those around you are using it responsibly, your safety depends as much on their actions as it does on yours.

ConFest has the equipment and systems in place to respond to fires.

In the event of a fire emergency please firstly attend to the safety of you and the people around you making sure that all are aware of the fire.
Attempt to put it out only if it is safe to do so and send someone to report the fire and location to a volunteer or to the information area. If the fire is beyond your ability to put out safely please evacuate yourself and all others from the area and report to the volunteers at Information.

 ConFest must adhere to local Fire Restrictions and Total Fire Ban days,
this includes local area and site specific restrictions.

Failure to comply with fire restrictions at ConFest can result in
police involvement,
the offenders' removal from site,
and possible future ban from ConFest.

Both the local Fire Authorities and ConFest volunteers
do regular fire inspections and patrols of ConFest.

One of the main reasons for the strict conditions on fire at ConFest
can be summed up quite simply and effectively by the following
from 'Obie' a ConFest First aid Co-ordinator:

"I am so happy that fire is limited at ConFest. I saw the look on peoples faces when their tent and all their gear was burnt to nothing by a candle.
I still remember the screaming of each of the little children that I treated in First Aid for burnt feet, hands or legs from campfires that weren't extinguished properly, that is "blacked out".
If you had heard the screaming of the toddler who fell face first into a campfire you would not question the need to strictly limit the use of fire at ConFest."

Fire can however be both useful
and beautiful at ConFest...

All ConFesters share a responsibility for a safe gathering and there are things we can do to make sure that fire at ConFest is useful and beautiful and above all, safe.

Smokers, please dispose of your butts responsibly, there have been many cases of a fire springing up some time after a butt was thought to be fully extinguished.

Fire Twirlers, please twirl in the fire dance circle, a prepared and sanded area created for you by ConFest volunteers, Down To Earth usually contributes a quantity of good quality fuel to the twirlers at ConFest, this can be accessed at the fire dance circle.

Please use the communal kitchen spaces provided, they are usually equipped with gas burners, barbecues, some shade, rough but adequate plumbing and tables, if you still choose to use your own camp cookers please do so in the communal kitchens, or on the sanded area around it.

Please only light wood fires in the halved 44 gallon drums in the prepared and sanded areas around site. Do not light a fire on the ground or in a pit anywhere, Fires on the property have been known to go underground, smoldering in old root systems and emerging weeks later.

If you use mosquito coils/incense please bring a safe non flammable (metal) dish to burn them in and be sure they are either being attended to or are extinguished.