The Courier Yesterday received several complaints from Alfredton residents, concerned that fireworks were allowed on a day of total fire ban.

However, a CFA spokesman said 30 to 40 exemption permits were issued in the Ballarat region, and hundreds around the state, under section 40 of the CFA Act, which states that "permits may be issued

for essential work purposes on days of total fire ban".

Activities allowed include welding, cutting and/or grinding, heating and spreading of bitumen, industrial heat testing, cooking in the open for catering purposes, lighting a fire for public entertainment

purposes and using LPG burners for hot-air ballooning

The act also states that: "These permits are not automatically granted and if granted, the user will have to abide by strict conditions that are set out on the permit. If these conditions are not followed,

the permit will be revoked and may be subject to criminal charges."

The CFA spokesman said the operations manager can also revoke the permit if there are extreme fire dangers.

The spokesman said the fireworks company applied for the permit once a day of total fire ban was declared.

"The incident controller inspected the site. The fireworks were held in the middle of a golfing fairway and a sprinkler system was used immediately afterwards," the spokesman said.

"The weather conditions were checked and there was no wind.

"Even though it was a day of total fire ban, the Ballarat region hasn't entered its fire danger period yet."

The spokesman said a public notice had also been placed in The Courier.

"The process is very stringent and it was followed to the letter."