BUSHFIRE INFORMATION
The Shire administers the Bush Fire Act 1954 which places certain requirements on landowners to ensure that they minimise the potential for fires to occur.
All landowners have a responsibility to prevent the outbreak of fire by ensuring appropriate firebreaks are maintained and that inflammable material is removed from their land. You may be placing your property or your neighbour’s property in danger by not minimising the potential for fires to occur.
An infringement can be issued for non-compliance with the Bush Fires Act. Further, if Shire staff are required to undertake work on your property to ensure that it complies with the legislation, the Shire may charge you for the costs associated with undertaking any such work.
Dumbleyung Bushfire Hotline
Ph: 9487 5410
To receive SMS Notifications on Harvest/Movement Bans and Shire road closures, contact Shire Admin to be added to list.
Ph: 9863 4012
Burning Periods
Current Burning Period
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What are Burning Periods?
Burning periods are set times of the year that determine when burning is permitted, Restricted or Prohibited within the Shire of Dumbleyung. These periods are designed to reduce the risk of bushfires and help manage fuel loads safely.
The start and end dates may vary each year depending on seasonal conditions and will be advertised by the Shire.
How to get a Permit to Burn?
Permits to Burn are issued from Fire Control Officers (FCO's) to Dumbleyung residents only. Residents can obtain Permits to Burn by contacting the Fire Control Officer within their area.
A full list of FCO contact details can be viewed via the annual Shire Information Booklet (link above).
Permits to Burn must be obtained prior to lighting a fire during the Restricted Burning periods. Burning without a permit during restricted times can result in penalties.
Permits are free, but conditions must be followed strictly.
Please note: No burning of any type is permitted on days when a Total Fire Ban (TFB) is declared or when the Fire Danger Rating is High or above.
RESTRICTED BURNING PERIODS:
> 1st February to 31st March (midnight to midnight)
> 19th September to 31st October (midnight to midnight)
Permits are required for burning during this period. Contact a Fire Control Officer (FCO) to obtain a permit. A full list of FCO contact details can be viewed via the annual Shire Information Booklet (link above)
It is the responsibility of the permit holder to check that there is NO Total Fire Ban imposed but DFES or that the fire danger rating is not High or above, permits are invalid during those times.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Use of Wood/Solid Fuel BBQs & Pizza Ovens:
Can be used, excluding when the Fire Danger Rating is High or above, or when a Total Fire Ban has been declared. MUST HAVE fire preventions in place such as a hose and not to be near trees or tall/dry grass.
WHAT YOU CAN'T DO
Burning of grass, paddock, bush and bonfires without a permit.
Things to do prior to burning:
✅ Check the weather forecast – avoid hot, windy, or dry conditions.
✅ Check the Fire Danger Rating for the area. You cannot burn when the FDR is High and over.
✅ Have adequate firefighting equipment on hand (water source, hoses, shovels, etc.).
✅ Supervise the fire at all times and ensure it is fully extinguished before leaving.
✅ Notify your neighbours know you plan to burn, as a common curtesy.
✅ Obtain a permit when required, contact your nearest FCO.
✅ No burning if you are under the influence of any substance.
✅ You call the Department of Fire & Emergency Services Communication Centre on 9395 9210 and register prior to lighting your burn.
REMEMBER: If your burn escapes and causes damage, you may be liable for costs and be fined.
Annual Bushfire Compliance Inspections
The Shire of Dumbleyung commences property inspections after the 18th October annually.
The purpose of the inspections is to assess landowners / occupiers compliance with the Fire Break Notice (linked above). All properties are to remain compliant until 31st March the following year.
Rangers or Shire Staff will carry out the inspections and are appointed Bushfire Control Officers under the provision of the Bushfire Act 1954. The Act provides Bushfire Control Officers the authority to enter any land or building, including private property, in the performance of their duties.
Fire Breaks
GENERAL INFORMATION
If for any reason it is considered by the owner or occupier of land, that it is impractical to comply with the firebreak requirements of this notice a variation request may be made to the Shire of Dumbleyung not later than 1st of September each year, email enquiries@dumbleyung.wa.gov.au.
Where approval of a proposed variation is not granted by Council you must comply with the firebreak requirements of this notice. The penalty for non-compliance with this notice is a maximum of $5,000 and notwithstanding prosecution, Council may enter on the land and carry out the requisite works at the owner/occupiers expense.
DEFINITION - FIREBREAK
A firebreak is a strip of land that has been cleared of all trees, shrubs, grass or other flammable materials to allow access for firefighting vehicles to all areas of your property, and act as a barrier to help stop or slow a low-intensity fire.
Townsite land 0.40ha or less, the whole of the property is to be cleared of flammable material (front and backyards).
Vacant land 0.40ha and over require a 2m firebreak, and Rural land must have boundary and internal firebreaks of 3m.
NOTICE TO ALL LAND OWNERS AND OCCUPIERS IN THE SHIRE OF DUMBLEYUNG
PURSUANT to the powers contained in Section 33 of the Bushfire Act 1954, you are hereby required on or before the18th of October each year or within 14 days of the date of you becoming an Owner or Occupier (should this be after the 18th day of October) and thereafter up to and including the 31st day of March of the following year to have a fire break clear of all inflammable material on:
MUST BE COMPLETED BY 18TH OCTOBER
a) Where the land is 0.40 hectares or less all flammable materials on the land shall be
removed from the whole of the land.
b) Where the land exceeds 0.40 hectares in the area, firebreaks at least 1.829m wide shall be
cleared of all flammable material immediately inside all external boundaries of the land and
also immediately surrounding all buildings situated on the land.
Tall dead grass must be slashed and removed from the whole of a property.
Vacant land over 0.4ha requires a 2m boundary firebreak.
Woodpiles/fuel storage areas/garden refuse piles and green power domes must have a perimeter firebreak.
VARIATION
If for any reason it is considered by the owner or occupier of land, that it is impractical to comply with the firebreak requirements of this notice a variation request may be made in writing to the Shire of Dumbleyung no later than September 1st of each year, and include a detailed farm plan showing the proposed location of firebreaks or of the alterative fire protection methods to be used.
Where approval of a proposed variation is not granted by Council you shall comply with the firebreak requirements of the Fire Hazard Reduction Notice.
PENALTIES
You could be fined up to $5000.00 for non-compliance and notwithstanding prosecution, Council ay enter on the land and carry out the required works at the owner/occupiers expense.
What is a Vehicle and Harvest Movement Ban?
A Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban is a ban that individual local governments are responsible for issuing under the Bush Fires Regulations 1954 Section 38A, and/or Section 24C.
The Shire of Dumbleyung will impose the ban when the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer and Community Emergency Services Manager (CESM) is of the opinion that the use of engines, vehicles, plant or machinery during the prohibited burning times or the restricted burning times or both is likely to cause a fire or contribute to the spread of a bushfire.
A Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban may be imposed for any length of time but is generally imposed for the ‘heat of the day’ periods and may be extended or revoked by the local government should weather conditions change.
What are your responsibilities?
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To ensure that any activity undertaken is not likely to start a fire and that a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban is currently not in place before commencing activities.
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Be aware of any bans (including Burning Periods and Total Fire Bans) BEFORE harvesting as you could be fined for breaching a ban.
How to find out if a HVMB has been imposed?
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Check the Shire of Dumbleyung Facebook Page.
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Contact the Shire during business hours on (08) 9863 4012.
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Contact a Fire Control Officer (FCO).
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Request an SMS alert from the Shire by nominating a mobile telephone contact. To register phone (08) 9863 4012 or email enquiries@dumbleyung.wa.gov.au
Penalties
You could be fined up to $5,000.00, if you breach a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban.
Activities NOT PERMITTED during a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban
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Harvesting operations are not permitted,
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Any “hot works” (e.g. welding, grinding, cutting, heating, lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, combustible engines etc.) in the “open air” are not permitted.
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Other – Use or operation of any engine, vehicle, plant, equipment or machinery in the area likely to cause a bush fire or contribute to the spread of a bush fire.
Harvest & Vehicle Movement Bans
General Information
For more information:
📞 Contact the Shire of Dumbleyung on 9863 4012
🌐 Follow DFES on social media
📱Download for free the Emergency WA for real-time updates
Burning of Roadside Vegetation
No roadside burning is allowed by any persons within the Shire without the approval of the Council. Anybody who is found to have burnt any roadside vegetation or reserve vested in the Shire, either deliberately, by neglect or carelessness as per the Bush Fires Act 1954, may be made to pay the cost of spraying or re-vegetating the area.
Burning in the Townsite
No fires in large open areas are to be lit in the townsite unless a town Fire Control Officer is advised of the intention to burn, subject to normal permit conditions.
Clearing of Town Lots
Owners of town blocks (and residential properties) must be mowed to comply with the Firebreak Notice as well as maintained throughout the year to reduce risk of fire and pests such as snakes.
Burning on Sundays and Public Holidays
From the start of the Restricted Burning Periods to the end of Easter, no person is allowed to light a fire on a Sunday or Public Holiday. This is because of the reduced number of personal available to attend incidents.
Stubble Burning
Stubble burning, subject to normal permit conditions, will be allowed on Sundays after 1st March.
Attending Fires
Only registered volunteers who have completed the minimum Rural Bushfire Awareness Course can attend a fire.
When attending a fire registered volunteer firefighters should wear the provided orange fire-fighting PPC which includes a jacket and trousers, goggles, gloves & boots (self provided).
FCO's: please ensure all persons who attend fires are:
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over the age of 16 years
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registered as brigade members
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wearing correct PPE