Fire Ban Definitions

The Fire Danger Rating (FDR) tells you how dangerous a fire would be if one started. The higher the FDR, the more severe the bushfire is expected to be.

Launched on 1 September 2022, the Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) is a new, nationally consistent FDR system that features four simplified rating levels to more accurately reflect fire danger conditions and provide you with clear messages of what to do at each level.

The rating is your prompt to take action to stay safe. You need to stay informed and know what the FDR is for your area each day.

Where to Check?

Fire Danger Ratings can be checked 24/7 via the EmergencyWA website.

Fire Danger Ratings are updated regularly and it is your responsibility to check for any bans that have been declared for your area.

What do the ratings mean?

There are four levels of fire danger:

1. Moderate: Plan and prepare.
2. High: Be ready to act.
3. Extreme: Take action now to protect your life and property.
4. Catastrophic: For your survival, leave bushfire risk areas.

Warning some of the video below contains some real life bushfire emergencies and may be distressing to some viewers.

What is a Total Fire Ban

A Total Fire Ban (TFB) is declared by the Minister for Emergency Services through the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) on days of extreme weather or when widespread fires are seriously stretching firefighting resources. Total Fire Ban can be declared at any time of the year.

Total Fire Bans affect everyone, whether you live near the bush or in built up urban areas.  It is important to check daily for any Total Fire Bans declared for your area.

General Facts

• Total Fire Bans usually start at midnight and last for 24 hours.
• The need for the ban is assessed throughout the day and may be revoked or extended depending on conditions.
• Any burning permits held by residents/landowners are suspended until the ban is over.
• It is your responsibility to check for any bans that have been declared for your area prior to undertaking any activities that is likely to start or contribute to the spread of a bushfire.
• If found to be breaching conditions of a Total Fire Ban an on the spot fine of $1000 may be issued.

NOT PERMITTED

It is illegal to light an open-air fire or carry out any activity that causes or is likely to cause a fire. 

• No BURNING | FIRES | HOT WORKS
• When a Total Fire Ban is declared it is illegal to light any open-air fires or any other activities that may start or cause a fire. The ban includes all open fires for the purpose of cooking or camping. It also includes incinerators, welding, grinding, soldering or gas cutting.
• Any burning permits held by residents/landowners are suspended until the ban is over.

Find detailed information via https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/totalfirebans/

Where to Check?

Keep updated - bans are assessed throughout the day and may be revoked or extended depending on conditions.

• Check www.emergency.wa.gov.au for latest warnings and incidents
• Contact the TFB Hotline on 1800 709 355.
• Contact the Department of Fire and Emergency Services on 133 337.
• Follow DFES on Facebook or Twitter.
• Check the City of Kalamunda Facebook, news/notices section of website or call the office on 9257 9999.
• Listen to the local ABC radio station and other media outlets.
• Keep a look out for the roadside Fire Danger Rating signs located across the City of Kalamunda.
• ¹Register for the City of Kalamunda SMS service for fire safety alerts. 

Find more via https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/totalfirebans/

Exemptions

DFES have the ability to provide exemptions for businesses, public authorities or industries not prescribed in the Bush Fires Regulations 1954. Conditions apply and must be followed to ensure the risk of a fire starting does not occur.  Find out more via https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/totalfirebans/#exemptions

Fines | Penalty

The penalty for breaching a Total Fire Ban can be an on the spot fine of $1000 by police, local government of DFES or upon conviction a maximum penalty of $25,000 and/or jail.

If you see someone acting in a manner that may be breaching the Total Fire Ban conditions you can report it to:

• 000 (if it has the potential to threaten life and/or property)
• DFES Total Fire Ban Hotline on 1800 709 355
• The City of Kalamunda office on 9257 9999
• If the behaviour is related to arson, report this to police immediately.
  

 

¹ Residents are advised the City's SMS System is a supplementary service only. This service should not be relied upon for emergency planning or in the place of emergency broadcasts. Residents are still responsible for ensuring they remain up-to-date on all fire danger ratings and bushfire emergencies, restrictions and alerts.

What is a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban?

Harvest and Vehicle Movement Bans are declared by the Chief Bushfire Control Officer (CBFCO) and may be issued in conjunction with a Total Fire Ban prohibiting the use and movement of engines, vehicles, plant, or machinery.

General Facts

• Harvest & Vehicle Movement Bans can be issued in conjunction with a Total Fire Ban.
• A Harvest & Vehicle Movement Ban is generally issued for any period of time in the day.
• The need for the ban may be due to hot and/or windy conditions or if the Fire Danger Index reaches 35 or above.
• The ban is assessed throughout the day and may be revoked or extended depending on local conditions
• The Walliston Transfer Station is CLOSED when a Harvest & Vehicle Movement Ban is declared.

Where to Check?

• Check the City of Kalamunda news/notices section of website or call the office on 9257 9999.
• Follow the City of Kalamunda Facebook page.
• Listen to the local ABC radio station (720am) at the following times:
  • 1005 | 1235 (1305 in Perth) | 1405

• Keep a look out for the roadside Fire Danger Rating signs located across the City of Kalamunda.
• ¹Register for the City of Kalamunda SMS service for fire safety alerts. 

Do's and Don'ts

The following applies during a Harvest and Vehicle Ban, in accordance to regulation 38A of the Bush Fires Act (Restricted and Prohibited Burning Times)::

ACTIVITIES NOT PERMITTED 

• Harvesting operations.
• Movement of a vehicle/s in the bush and/or on ‘ungazetted roads.
• Movement of a vehicle/s across paddocks and grassed areas.
• Hot works (e.g., welding, grinding, cutting, heating etc.).
• Any other use of an engine, vehicle, plant, equipment, or machinery in an area conducive to the outbreak or spread of a bushfire.

ACTIVITIES PERMITTED 

• Movement of Vehicles on “gazetted roads” (as described in Bush Fires regulation 24A
• Movement of vehicles on a lane, driveway, yard or other area that provides 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.
• Use or operation of a vehicle or equipment only if it is for the prevention of an immediate risk to health and/or safety of a person and/or livestock. It should only be operated if all reasonable precautions have been taken to prevent the activity from creating a bushfire danger.

It is your responsibility as a property owner or resident to be aware of any bans in place before undertaking an agricultural activity including harvesting as you could be fined for breaching a ban. The responsibility remains on the individual to ensure any activity underway is not likely to commence a fire and a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban is currently not in place in their local government district.

A Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban is generally issued for any period of time in the day. The ban is assessed throughout the day and may be revoked or extended depending on local conditions. 

The ban will also be imposed if the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer is satisfied that the Bushfire Fire Behaviour Index (FBI) for the area is or exceeds 50+. Individual local governments are responsible for issuing a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban under the Bush Fires Regulations 1954 Section 38A, and/or Section 24C.

¹ Residents are advised the City's SMS System is a supplementary service only. This service should not be relied upon for emergency planning or in the place of emergency broadcasts. Residents are still responsible for ensuring they remain up-to-date on all fire danger ratings and bushfire emergencies, restrictions and alerts.