Guidelines for controlled burns from 1 May 2026

The official Western Cape fire season will end on 30 April 2026 and landowners and custodians in possession of controlled burn permits are allowed to perform burns with the usual safety requirements as of 1 May 2026.

Permit applicants are requested to contact the department by phone or email (information below) to make the necessary arrangements. The last allowable date for controlled burns this year will be 30 November 2026. Please note that this date is subject to change.

The municipality would prefer that only controlled burns for agricultural purposes – such as clearing fields for re-growth – take place and request landowners who are using fire to reduce biomass to consider alternatives such as chipping.

• A controlled burn permit is valid for 12 months from the date of issue but may not be used during the official fire season which is determined by Western Cape Disaster Management.

• On the day of the planned controlled burn, the permit holder must phone the fire station for permission to light the controlled burn. Permission may be withheld if the Fire Index for the day is too high.

• Controlled burns must occur Monday to Thursday, excluding public holidays, and all fires must be extinguished by 16h00 daily.

• Permits will not be issued inside the urban edge (among residential areas).

• The municipality appeals to the public to always be fire aware, no matter the time of the year.

• Please always exercise extreme caution, make fires in protected and designated areas only, and dispose of cigarette butts safely.

• Burning of garden refuse in residential areas is illegal.
Fire Emergencies must be reported to 044 801 6311.

For enquiries phone 044 801 6360
Email: Acting Fire Chief Johan Brand at jbrand@george.gov.za