Bush Fire Season Outlook

It is expected that the South West region is likely to have an extended bushfire season due to dryer weather conditions, according to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services Strategic Intelligence Outlook for the next three months.

The increased bushfire risk is likely to occur in late January and extend into April and May 2019.

The likelihood of an extended fire season is a timely reminder of the importance of keeping our properties fire safe for the whole of the fire season until we receive rain to help dampen the risk of bush fire.

If fire conditions do extend well into Autumn, the Shire may have to consider extensions of at least the Prohibited Burning period and maybe the Restricted Burning Period. The need to consider restrictions on burning will of course be influenced by community expectations/needs to be able to conduct pasture burns, but which will be balanced against the risk.

The outlook suggests that many fires are suspiciously lit and this causes unnecessary response by our Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades at personal risk to their members. DFES and the Shire actively encourage people with knowledge of suspicious fires or arson to report this information to Police.

Please complete the online form at https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/safetyinformation/fire/arson/Pages/default.aspx  or ring Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.