Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => DOWN UNDER BEEKEEPING => Topic started by: SouthAussieBeekeeper on October 29, 2018, 12:17:21 am
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What's the legality with using a smoker during a summer fireban period? Is one simply not allowed to do any beekeeping during the summer? Is it okay to light a smoker let's say, in December for example, if it happens to be a cool, humid day?
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Fire bans in our area refer to open fire pits like a camp fire. You are still allowed to use your camp stove. A smoker is not an open fire. That being said the utmost care must be taken when lighting and putting out the smoker.
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I do wonder. I've received some inconsistent information.
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Besides being careful while lighting and putting out your smoker, bee careful where you place it. Many an Apiary has been burn down due a misplaced smoker. A friend of mine placed his smoker in the back of his pickup and then went to answer a phone call. When he came back outside, his truck and all Bee equipment was destroyed. I found this out when he called to borrow a smoker and a suit.
Jim
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A quick search shows that several states in Australia prohibit the use of a smoker on a day of Total Fire Ban (TFB)
The CFS has a draft document online called Code of Practice, Apiary Fire Safety. It states that you can in SA (it?s a draft)
Regardless permits for undertaking Hot Work on TFBs are usually easily obtained (I need them for work where I am)
To cover your butt get a permit for use, or get it it writing that you do not require a permit for use on a TFB
N.B. Some of the guys I work with were first on the ground at Marysville. TFBs are there for a reason.