Prevention
Prevention activities eliminate or reduce the probability of occurrence of a specific hazard and also reduce the degree of damage likely to be incurred.
Fire break requirements
The Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire requires all land owners to install firebreaks or reduce the fuel load around all properties and dwellings every year by November 30 and to maintain it until May 31, however these dates can change so please check with the Shire before you light your fire.
Managing your property
Council strongly encourages all residents and ratepayers to undertake activities to prepare yourself and families to deal with and recover from emergencies. The principles of prevention activities apply all year round. You should be maintaining your property in an Emergency Ready condition at all times.
In relation to fire prevention you need to have:
- a 20 metre low fuel buffer around all buildings, haystacks and fuel storage areas where the height of the grass is not to exceed 25mm
- an access track to all buildings not less than four metres wide and a fire break not less than three metres wide around all buildings, out buildings etc
The hardest aspect of fire prevention is explaining to your family and children why you didn't undertake any. Actions speak loader than words and actions save lives.
Why do we need firebreaks?
Firebreaks serve three main purposes:
- Stop low intensity fires from spreading
- Allow entry for firefighting vehicles
- To provide a firebreak from which back burning can take place to control a fire
It is essential that they are maintained to the specified requirements throughout the bush fire season for your safety and the safety of the volunteer fire fighters protecting your community.
If you believe it is impractical to construct a firebreak for environmental or other reasons, please notify the Shire council before October 15 to obtain an alternative to firebreak request form.
Guidelines for applying for a variation (308KB)
Application to vary a firebreak (296KB)
Have I complied with the Shire's Fire Break Order?
The firebreak order that is sent out in September/October each year contains information on the minimum requirements that will allow firefighters to effectively fight a fire on your property. It is essential that it is followed for the safety of residents and volunteer firefighters alike.
Restricted burning period
Permits are required between the period of October 1 to November 30 and April 1 to May 31.
Burning permits can be obtained from your local Fire Control Officer. Please remember the Fire Control Officers are volunteers. You may have to leave a message and they will get back to you.
Please plan ahead. Do not ring a Fire Control Officer on the day you want to burn and expect a permit, as it will not be granted. You must give three days notice to your neighbours and the Fire Control Officers need to be contacted well in advance of that.
Fire Control Officers contact details (248KB)
Prohibited burning period
A total fire ban applies between December 1 to March 31 each year. This includes camp fires.
These dates are subject to change so please check with the Shire before you light your fire to ensure there has been no change. Please ensure you have notified your neighbours with three days notice before lighting your fire.
Roadside Burning
No roadside burning is allowed by any persons within the Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire at any time of the year without permission from the Council.
Council's Operations team will assess the request to burn, and work with you to achieve the desired outcomes. In some cases volunteer brigades will assist with the road-side management programs.
Burning on Public Holidays
No Burning is permitted on a Public Holiday.
What about Burning Garden Refuse?
On days during the restricted burning times where the Fire Danger Rating is Very High, Severe, Extreme or Catastrophic, no garden refuse, wood, solid fuel barbecues are permitted to be used under any circumstance.
Permits are automatically cancelled on these days. Due to unseasonable weather conditions these days maybe extended or shortened.
You must check the local newspaper for details or call Council on 9526 1111 for further information.
The Fire Danger Rating can be found by calling the weather information line 1196 or by visiting this website.
What should I do before I start a burn?
You need to determine if you will need a permit or it is less than a cubic metre in size. Garden refuse can only be burnt between 6pm and 11pm at night and must be totally extinguished before you leave it. You are not permitted to burn any more than one cubic metre (a wheel barrow load) at any one time.
Garden refuse burning - Guide to determine size (196KB)
Garden refuse burning - Site preparation (340KB)
Other fire prevention measures
Reduction of fuel does not have to be as drastic as removing all vegetation. Environmentally, this would be disastrous and often trees and plants may provide you with some bushfire protection from strong winds, intense heat and flying embers.
Methods of hazard reduction:
- hand clearing
- mechanical clearing
- chemical spraying (should be undertaken June-September)
- hazard reduction burning
- removing all firewood, timber and fuels (eg petrol) that are near you house
- clearing your gutters out regularly
- removing branches that are overhanging buildings
- raking up leaves and other debris regularly
It is worthwhile taking the following things into consideration to help protect your property from fires:
Do I have a 20 metre circle around my house clear of flammable materials?
It is recommended that a low fuel area of 20 metres completely around your house is maintained throughout the summer months.
Checklist - Preparing your property (356KB)
Livestock grazing around the house and buildings will help to protect your property
This is essential if the property does not have anyone living onsite during the summer period to give it the best chance of survival in the event of a bush fire.
What about water for fire fighting and the volunteers?
All water tanks installed on your property should have the correct water fittings on them to enable the volunteer fire fighters to obtain water to protect your property.
All water fittings on domestic water tanks where fire fighters can draw water from should have a 50mm Full Flow Ball Valve with 50mm Female BSP thread and a 50mm female camlock fitting screwed into it.