​Since July 2017 over 100 small private property burns have resulted in bushfires requiring response from emergency services in the Lower South West.

​Since July 2017 over 100 small private property burns have resulted in bushfires requiring response from emergency services in the Lower South West.
The heat intensity and spread of a bushfire is determined by the amount of fuel (vegetation) on your property available to burn.
If you can reduce the fuel load then a bushfire will burn cooler and slower and will be less likely to impact your home. Additional ways of reducing fuel loads:

•          Hand clearing - raking and removing leaf litter
•          Mechanical-mowing, slashing or pruning vegetation
•          Chemical - using herbicides to remove vegetation
•          Burning excess vegetation

With correct weather conditions, planning and advice, landholders can safely conduct controlled burns on their land subject to local government laws.
You should contact your Local Government for more information before undertaking fuel reduction and be mindful of the concepts below:
 
Prohibited burning period – Prohibited burning times are declared by Local Government stipulating the times of the year that it is unlawful to set fire to bush. This is separate to a Total Fire Ban that is declared for a day when a fire is most likely to spread rapidly (because of extreme fire weather) or if there are already widespread fires and resources are stretched.
 
Restricted burning period - The Restricted Burning period requires a person to obtain a permit if they wish to set fire to the bush. The permit is a risk management tool that imposes situationally appropriate conditions to each burn including resources and required notifications. The permit is issued by a legally authorised officer (Bush Fire Control Officer or Ranger) under the Bushfires Act.
 
Unrestricted (open) burning period - Once local governments lift the restricted burning period, landowners and managers are able to legally burn without the approval of local government i.e. a permit. It is vital to assess the risks and weather in this period to prevent escapes.
 
Prohibited and Restricted burning dates are set according to seasonal conditions and may be adjusted. Your local government provides information in the Bushfire Management or Firebreak Notice which sets out the responsibilities residents and visitors have to manage fuel loads and prevent bushfire escapes.
 
Shire of Augusta Margaret River - www.amrshire.wa.gov.au/services/community-safety/bush-fire-management-information-booklet-20182019
Shire of Boyup Brook – www.boyupbrook.wa.gov.au/services/emergency-services/bushfire-control.aspx
Shire of Bridgetown Greenbushes - www.bridgetown.wa.gov.au/services/bush-fire-control.aspx
City of Busselton - www.busselton.wa.gov.au/Environment-Waste/Fire-Emergency-Information
Shire of Donnybrook Balingup - www.donnybrook-balingup.wa.gov.au/our-services/ranger-services/fire-control/
Shire of Manjimup - www.manjimup.wa.gov.au/our-services/fire-and-emergency-management/Pages/default.aspx
Shire of Nannup - www.nannup.wa.gov.au/Fires-and-Emergencies.aspx
 
Before you plan a burn in the unrestricted period it is vital that you check the wind speed on the day of your burn. To carry out a controlled burn the wind speed should ideally be less than 15 kilometres per hour.  Ensure you have prepared the area so that your burn is secure and do not leave the fire until it has gone out or you have put it out. For more tips on burning check out the DFES Winter Burning Guide
 
Please ensure you are aware of the requirements for your land, and assist your local government and volunteer fire brigades by undertaking fuel reduction works at the correct time and safest manner.  Remember your fire, your responsibility!
 
Wishing you a Safe and Happy Easter.