Bush Fire Control

Annual Bush Fire Notice

2023/24 BUSHFIRE NOTICE

Bush Fire Risk Management Plan

The Annual Bush Fire Notice includes contact information for Fire Control Officers, information on Fire Break requirements and land owner responsibilities in relation to fire prevention. 

PROHIBITED BURNING

The Prohibited Burning Period in  the Shire of Cuballing is from 1st November to 1st  March each year.

RESTRICTED BURNING **

The Restricted Burning Periods each year are:

  • 1 October to 31 October 
  • 2 March to 19 April

** These dates may vary according to seasonal conditions, but any variation will be advertised. Alternatively contact the Shire Office on 08 9883 6031.

Permit To Set Fire To The Bush

  • Permits to burn are required for the whole of the Restricted Burning Periods and should be obtained from your area Fire Control Officer.
  • Any special conditions imposed by the Fire Control Officer when issuing permits must be strictly adhered to.

Harvest And Vehicle Movement Bans

During the Summer months, the Shire of Cuballing has the authority to impose a Harvest Ban and/or a Ban on the Movement of Vehicles in paddocks and the Use of Internal Combustion Engines.

A Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban can effect the whole shire or a particular section. To see whether the Shire has a Ban in place, please use the Harvest Ban Hotline on 9883 6386 which has a recorded message that is updated immediately after a Ban has been placed or removed.

Harvest And Vehicle Ban SMS Messages

The Shire of Cuballing offers a SMS service for notification of Harvest and vehicle bans. This service is free and is available to all residents. To receive these messages please contact the Shire office on 08 9883 6031.

What Is The Difference Between A Total Fire Ban And A Harvest Ban?

Total Fire Ban:

A Total Fire Ban is declared by the Minister for Emergency Services (DFES) based on weather forecasts when there is a potential of adverse fire weather or when widespread fires are seriously stretching resources.
A Total Fire Ban will be declared on days when fires are most likely to be difficult to control and should a fire occur threaten lives and property. A Total Fire Ban will be declared for the whole day (24hours) and for the whole of local government, including townsites.

When a Total Fire Ban is declared, it prohibits the lighting of any fires in the open air and other activities that may start a fire - including use of welders, grinders or gas cutting. You can continue other farming activities during a Total Fire Ban as long as a Harvest Ban and Vehicle Movement Ban has not been imposed. Other industries must have an exemption from DFES if they wish to continue work in the open air during a Total Fire Ban.

For more information on Total Fire Bans go to the DFES website at www.dfes.wa.gov.au or call the 24hour total fire ban information line on 1800 709 355.

Harvest & Vehicle Movement Ban:

A Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban is declared by the local government (Fire Control Officers) based on actual weather readings (temperature, wind, humidity)and degrees of curing of fire fuel. They can be declared for a specific time  or indefinitely to be reviewed at a future time. A Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban prohibits the movement of all vehicles and machinery and the operation of internal combustion engines within the Shire with the exception of the movement of vehicles and machinery on gazetted roads, laneways/roadways, and yards. Water carting for stock and domestic purposes is permitted provided it is accompanied by a mobile fire fighting unit, or alternatively the water carting vehicle acts as the mobile fire fighting unit and meets the minimum specifications (this also requires the retention of 400L of water at all times).

 Activities Not Permitted during the period of this Ban

 The following are not permitted once a ban is in place under regulation 24C or Regulation 38A or 38C. 

  1. Harvesting operations are not permitted. 
  2. All off-road activity is banned, regardless of whether it is for agricultural purposes or work being conducted by business, industry and public authorities. 
  3. Off-road includes areas such as paddocks, bushland, uncleared land and land with stubble or long grass refer to regulation 24ZH(2)(b) of the Bush Fires Regulations 1954. 
  4. Off-road activity includes the use of anything activated by an internal combustion engine being used off-road. e.g. motorbikes, quad bikes, excavators, chain saws, ride on lawn mowers and generators. 

Activities Permitted during this Ban 

The activities below are permitted during a Total Fire Ban and by decision of the FCO during a declaration under 38A or 38C.

  1. Use or operation of any vehicle on “gazette roads”, lanes, driveways, yards or other areas that provide access to, or a parking facility at, any residential, farming or business premises, if the area has been sufficiently cleared of inflammable material to prevent the escape of fire.
  2. Use or operation of a vehicle for the prevention of an immediate and serious risk to the health or safety of a person or livestock, and only if all reasonable precautions have been taken to prevent the activity from creating a bush fire danger.
  3. Urgent work on infrastructure carried out by an essential service can continue, but only when the prescribed conditions in Division 9 of the Bush Fires Regulations 1954 are complied with. Urgent works, in relation to infrastructure used in the provision of an essential service means repairs or maintenance necessary for the continued provision, or restoration, of the service.  Essential Services: water supply, sewerage or drainage services, electricity or gas services, telecommunications services, public transport services.