Blazing Swan Fire Team

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, please submit a Fire Application Form. The Fire Lead will email you information on how to install these safely.

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

1. Submit a Burn Barrel Application Form to the Blazing Swan Fire Lead.
2. Upon application you will be emailed the burn barrel design and operation information. You must ensure your burn barrel complies with this information.
3. Once on site you will need to set-up your burn barrel and have it inspected. This is done by inspectors appointed by the Fire Lead. You may only light your burn barrel once it has been inspected and approved for use.

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” 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 of any kind are not permitted in General Camping areas and require a Burn Permit in Theme Camp areas.

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.

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.

Gas Flame Effects are devices that use pressurised LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), Butane or Propane to make visible fire, either in the form of a constant, consistent flame (aka Static Gas Flame Effects), or big bursts (aka Dynamic Gas Flame Effects).

These devices are permitted at the Blazing Swan event but must be inspected and certified for use by an Independent Gas Inspector before they are permitted on the event site. This is to ensure they are safely built and compliant with Class B Gas Appliance legislation and built to the relevant Australian Standards.

If you have an existing gas flame effect or are interested in building one for the event, please submit a Fire Application Form. You will then be contacted by the Fire Lead to discuss your ideas further.

The above information does not apply to standard, off-the-shelf, gas units, being used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

“Liquid Fuel Flame Effects” refers to flame effects created from the burning of a liquid fuel source.

At Blazing Swan we make the distinction between “Pressurised” and “Unpressurised” Liquid Fuel Flame Effects. Pressurised effects are banned from the event, whereas Unpressurised effects are permitted.

Pressurised Gas Flame Effects covers flame effects where a liquid fuel is expelled from a pressure vessel, resulting in burning liquid fuel being emitted into the air. Unpressurised Gas Flame Effects are ones where liquid fuel is contained within a vessel and burns either with some form of wick (e.g. tiki torch or similar) or some fuels burn without a wick.

Liquid fuel can be used to create beautiful and interesting flame effects but must be carefully managed. If you wish to have a Liquid Fuel Flame Effect at your theme camp, please submit a Fire Application Form. Upon application you will be contacted by the Fire Lead to discuss the details.

“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 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.

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.