Can You Use a Gas Camping Stove During Fire Bans in Australia?
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In This Guide
Fire ban rules and camping cooking are two things that every Australian camper needs to understand — and unfortunately, the rules are not as simple as “yes gas is fine” or “no cooking at all.” The answer varies by state, by fire danger rating, and sometimes by the specific piece of land you’re camping on.
This guide breaks it down as clearly as possible. But first, the most important thing we can say:
Always Check Before You Go
This article provides general guidance based on publicly available regulations as of April 2026. Fire ban rules change seasonally, annually, and sometimes overnight as conditions shift. ALWAYS check your state fire authority’s website the day before your trip and again on the morning you depart. Penalties for breaching fire bans are severe, and more importantly, people have died because of campfires lit during fire bans. Don’t guess. Check.
Key Takeaways
- Commercial gas stoves with shut-off valves are generally permitted during Total Fire Bans across most of Australia
- Catastrophic (Code Red in VIC) fire danger days may ban ALL cooking including gas — rules vary by state
- Always use gas stoves on a non-flammable surface and keep them attended
- National parks may have additional restrictions beyond state fire ban rules
- Check your state fire authority website the day before and morning of your trip
- Wood fires, solid fuel stoves, and alcohol stoves are banned during Total Fire Bans without exception
The General Rule Across Australia
Across all Australian states and territories, the broad principle is the same:
- Wood fires, open fires, campfires, charcoal BBQs: Banned on Total Fire Ban days, full stop.
- Commercial LPG/gas appliances with an enclosed flame and shut-off valve: Generally permitted on Total Fire Ban days, subject to conditions.
- All cooking including gas: May be banned on Catastrophic/Code Red fire danger days in some states.
The reasoning is straightforward: a gas stove with a valve can be turned off instantly. A wood fire cannot. Gas stoves don’t throw sparks. The residual heat dissipates quickly and doesn’t leave burning embers.
Stoves like the Jetboil Flash, MSR PocketRocket 2, and Coleman Classic 1-Burner are the kind of “approved gas appliance” that fire ban legislation is written to accommodate. They have clear on/off valves, no solid fuel component, and no open combustion that could spread.
What is never permitted during a Total Fire Ban:
- Open wood fires or campfires of any size
- Fire pits, firepots, or chimeneas burning wood or solid fuel
- Spirit/alcohol stoves (Trangia-style stoves)
- Esbit/solid fuel tablet stoves
- Open charcoal or briquette BBQs
- Any improvised heat source with exposed flame
State-by-State Breakdown
New South Wales (NSW)
Fire authority: NSW Rural Fire Service (rfs.nsw.gov.au)
During a Total Fire Ban in NSW, you are permitted to use a gas, electric, or liquid fuel stove or barbecue, provided it is:
- Used on a non-combustible surface
- Fully supervised at all times while in use
- Capable of being immediately extinguished
On days of Catastrophic fire danger, the RFS may declare additional restrictions beyond the standard TFB, but the standard TFB rules do not automatically ban gas stoves. Check the declaration on the RFS website for specific conditions.
Check: rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fdr-and-bans
Victoria (VIC)
Fire authorities: Country Fire Authority (cfa.vic.gov.au) and Forest Fire Management Victoria (ffm.vic.gov.au)
Victoria’s rules are more restrictive than most other states on the worst fire days.
During a Total Fire Ban in Victoria, enclosed gas appliances (LPG, natural gas, methylated spirits are NOT enclosed) are generally permitted if used on a non-combustible surface and supervised.
However, during a Code Red fire danger day (Victoria’s name for Catastrophic), CFA and FFMV advise against all open-flame cooking, and some declarations explicitly ban gas stoves. The Victorian government has historically encouraged Victorians to avoid lighting ANY flame on Code Red days.
The Victorian advice is conservative. If a Code Red day is declared where you’re camping, the safest position is to not use any cooking flame at all.
Check: cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/fire-restrictions
Queensland (QLD)
Fire authority: Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (qfes.qld.gov.au)
Queensland’s Fire and Emergency Services Act permits the use of gas appliances during fire restrictions and declared fire danger periods, provided the appliance:
- Is an LPG, gas, or liquid fuel cooker
- Has a shut-off device
- Is operated on a mineral, cement, brick, or other non-flammable surface
Importantly, Queensland’s fire ban status varies by local government area (LGA) — a ban in one shire doesn’t necessarily mean a ban in the neighbouring shire. Always check by location.
Check: qfes.qld.gov.au/community-safety/bushfire/fire-danger-ratings
South Australia (SA)
Fire authority: Country Fire Service (cfs.sa.gov.au)
South Australia operates under a similar framework. During a Total Fire Ban, gas appliances are permitted if used on a non-flammable surface and supervised. SA uses the “Catastrophic” fire danger rating for its highest tier (no “Code Red” branding), and on Catastrophic days the SA CFS may issue additional restrictions.
SA’s TFB declarations often include specific exemptions and conditions — read the actual declaration on the CFS website rather than assuming.
Check: cfs.sa.gov.au/warnings/todays-fire-danger-ratings
Western Australia (WA)
Fire authority: Department of Fire and Emergency Services (dfes.wa.gov.au)
WA uses the terms Total Fire Ban and Harvest/Vehicle Movement Ban and their fire restrictions are managed at a district level rather than state-wide.
Gas stoves are generally permitted under Total Fire Ban conditions, used on a non-flammable surface. WA’s regulations are broadly aligned with other eastern states on this point.
Note: WA has some of the highest fire danger periods in the country. The Kimberley, Pilbara, and interior regions can have extended periods of Very High to Extreme fire danger — particularly relevant for four-wheel drive campers heading into remote WA.
Check: dfes.wa.gov.au/emergency-information/fires
Tasmania (TAS)
Fire authority: Tasmania Fire Service (fire.tas.gov.au)
During a Total Fire Ban in Tasmania, gas stoves with shut-off valves are generally permitted. Tasmania’s fire season is shorter than mainland states but can be severe — particularly in the state’s dry central plateau.
Check: fire.tas.gov.au/Show?pageId=ForecastDistrictFireDangerRatings
Northern Territory (NT)
Fire authority: NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services (pfes.nt.gov.au)
The NT operates fire restriction periods (typically October to March in the Top End) rather than Total Fire Ban declarations in the same format as southern states. Commercial gas stoves are generally permitted during fire restrictions.
Check: pfes.nt.gov.au/fire-rescue
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Fire authority: ACT Emergency Services Agency (esa.act.gov.au)
The ACT follows similar rules to NSW, with gas appliances generally permitted during Total Fire Bans. Given the ACT’s small size and its interface with NSW’s bush, always check both ACT ESA and NSW RFS if you’re near the border.
Check: esa.act.gov.au/be-prepared/bushfire
What Counts as an “Approved Gas Appliance”?
Most states don’t publish a brand list — they describe characteristics. An approved gas appliance for fire ban purposes typically needs to:
- Run on LPG, butane, or isobutane/propane (not wood, solid fuel, or alcohol)
- Have an on/off shut-off valve that can extinguish the flame immediately
- Have an enclosed flame — not an open brazier or open BBQ
- Be designed for cooking — a commercially manufactured product, not improvised
The Jetboil Flash, MSR PocketRocket 2, and Coleman Classic 1-Burner all meet these criteria. So does any standard screw-top canister stove, propane BBQ, or two-burner camp stove with a gas valve.
What doesn’t qualify:
- Trangia/spirit stoves — alcohol-burning, no instant shut-off
- Esbit/solid fuel tablet stoves — solid combustible fuel
- Open charcoal kettles — open burning, can’t be extinguished
- Wood-burning camp ovens — even if LPG-assisted, if wood is involved it’s prohibited
Don't Guess at Stove Type
If you’re not sure whether your stove qualifies as an approved gas appliance, contact your state fire authority before your trip. It’s a quick phone call or email that could save you from a very expensive or very dangerous mistake.
Practical Tips for Camping During Fire Bans
1. Always carry a gas stove, not just wood-fire gear. If you rely on campfire cooking as your primary method, you’ll have nothing to eat on TFB days. A gas stove is cheap insurance.
2. Keep the stove on a non-flammable surface. A piece of flat rock, a camp table, a concrete firepit base, or a metal camp kitchen stand all work. Don’t put a gas stove directly on dry grass or wooden decking.
3. Never leave a gas stove burning unattended. This applies on TFB days and on normal days. A gust of wind can knock a pot off and leave a flame burning near dry grass.
4. Have a water source or extinguisher nearby. On high fire danger days, being able to extinguish a spill or flare-up quickly is basic responsible camping.
5. Sign up for emergency alerts. The Vic Emergency, Fires Near Me (NSW), and state-equivalent apps will push alerts to your phone. If conditions escalate while you’re camping, you’ll know.
6. Know your exit. On Very High and above fire danger days in fire-prone country, know your escape route out of the campsite. This isn’t alarmist — it’s just sensible.
+ Can I use a gas camping stove on a Total Fire Ban day?
In most Australian states, yes — commercial gas stoves with a shut-off valve are generally permitted on Total Fire Ban days, provided you use them on a non-combustible surface and keep them attended. However, rules vary significantly by state and by fire danger rating. On Catastrophic or Code Red days, some states prohibit all open-flame cooking including gas stoves. Always check your state's fire authority website before heading out.
+ What is an 'approved gas appliance' in the context of fire bans?
An approved gas appliance typically refers to a commercially manufactured LPG or butane/isobutane gas device that has a built-in on/off valve, is designed to be used on a hard non-flammable surface, and can be fully extinguished instantly. Stoves like the MSR PocketRocket 2, Jetboil Flash, and Coleman Classic 1-Burner generally qualify. Homemade or improvised setups, spirit/alcohol stoves, solid fuel tablets, and wood fires do not qualify under most state regulations.
+ Is there a difference between a Total Fire Ban and a Code Red or Catastrophic day?
Yes, and this is critical. A Total Fire Ban (TFB) prohibits all open fires in the open air but generally still allows approved enclosed gas appliances. A Catastrophic Fire Danger day (called Code Red in Victoria) is a step above TFB and carries stricter restrictions. In Victoria during Code Red and in some other states during Catastrophic conditions, all open-flame cooking — including gas stoves — may be prohibited. Never assume a TFB and a Catastrophic day have the same rules.
+ Do fire ban rules apply inside national parks and state forests?
Yes, and sometimes with additional restrictions. National parks managed by Parks Australia or state park authorities may have their own fire restrictions that go beyond state fire ban rules. Always check with Parks Australia or the relevant state parks authority for the specific park you're visiting. Some parks ban all fires year-round regardless of fire danger rating.
+ What happens if I break fire ban rules while camping?
Penalties vary by state but are severe everywhere. In NSW, breaching a Total Fire Ban can result on-the-spot fines of over $1,000 for individuals, and criminal charges apply if a fire is lit causing damage or death, with maximum penalties including significant jail time. Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia have similar or higher penalties. If you start a fire that escapes and causes damage, you can also be held civilly liable for the costs of fighting it.
+ What cooking methods are always banned during a Total Fire Ban?
Open wood fires, campfires, solid fuel fires (including fire pits), spirit/alcohol-burning stoves, open charcoal BBQs, and any exposed flame from improvised heat sources. Even sparklers and fireworks fall under open fire restrictions in most states. The common thread: anything that cannot be instantly shut off or that involves combustible solid fuel.
+ Where can I check current fire ban status before a camping trip?
Check the relevant state fire authority website the evening before you leave and again the morning of your trip, as conditions can change overnight. NSW: rfs.nsw.gov.au — VIC: cfa.vic.gov.au or ffm.vic.gov.au — QLD: qfes.qld.gov.au — SA: cfs.sa.gov.au — WA: dfes.wa.gov.au — TAS: fire.tas.gov.au — NT: pfes.nt.gov.au — ACT: esa.act.gov.au. The Bureau of Meteorology (bom.gov.au) fire weather page is also useful for planning ahead.
Written by Rhys
A Brisbane-based 4WD tourer who's spent too many weekends testing gear in the bush. Every product on this site is researched and rated based on real-world use, not spec sheets.