Aussie Day barbecue warning

Fire authorities have warned people to be careful when barbecuing and camping this Australia Day as hot, dry and windy conditions forecast for the weekend up the risk starting a fire.

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a 35C maximum for Perth on Saturday.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner Operations Lloyd Bailey said most barbecues were safe, but those that required solid fuel like wood or charcoal were a fire risk on hot, windy days.

Mr Bailey said their use was banned when a total fire ban was in place.

"The forecast for Australia Day is hot, dry and windy, so you should only use a gas barbecue for cooking if it has an enclosed flame or an electric barbecue which of course doesn’t have a flame,” Mr Bailey said.

“For the sake of safety, you should have a five metre buffer zone around your barbecue.

“In residential areas where there is not enough space to create a five metre buffer, clear the area around your barbecue to make it free from flammable material such as dry grass.”