That is the message frustrated firefighters are impressing again on the local community after being called to two backyard fires within an hour on Sunday evening.
One was so large it could be seen over the tops of houses from a few streets away, leading some nearby residents to believe a home was burning.
It is the third time Deniliquin Fire + Rescue NSW has used this newspaper to express the message within a month.
And Acting Captain Les Booth said there have already been some ‘repeat offenders’.
Firefighters are so far issuing warnings, but he said penalties may not be far away if the breaches continue.
“All open fires within the Deniliquin township must have a permit,” Act Capt Booth said.
“There are strict conditions imposed on permits, including the size of the fire and application time frames.
“Permit applications must be received at least five days before you burn, and you should note that it may take up to three days for your permit to be approved.
“Once approved by your local council, an endorsement letter will be sent to you to then obtain a permit from Fire + Rescue NSW.”
In Deniliquin on Sunday, firefighters were initially called to a Wood St home in east Deniliquin by concerned neighbours.
Firefighters arrived to find a large bonfire burning, fuelled mostly by tree limbs and other natural waste.
Act Capt Booth said despite its size, the fire did not spread and did not cause any infrastructure damage.
He confirmed the occupant of the home did not have a permit.
After staying on scene for half an hour to extinguish the fire, firefighters were again called out at 8.22pm to a west Deniliquin home for a similar reason.
Act Capt Booth said firefighters were called to the same Ballantyne Crescent home they attended Tuesday last week after reports of aerosol cans exploding in a fire.
He said this time, he had to request assistance from police after the occupants allegedly became verbally abusive toward firefighters.
The firefighters were eventually granted entry to the property to extinguish the fire.
Act Capt Booth said the occupants received an official warning that another call to the home for a fire without a permit would result in a fine.
To access the Edward River Council permit application, go to www.edwardriver.nsw.gov.au/Services/Forms and expand the ‘environment’ tab.
Burn off rules outside the Deniliquin town limits are set by the NSW Rural Fire Service. To learn more, apply for or notify of a burn, go to www.rfs.nsw.gov.au or contact the Mid Murray Fire Control Centre at Deniliqun Airport on (03) 5898 4100.
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