
During our hot, dry summer months we all have a shared responsibility to make sure that the chance of a bush fire starting or spreading is minimised. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and the Shire of Lake Grace will put out bans that restrict some activities that may cause fires and it can sometimes be a little tricky to know what you can and can’t do when a ban has been imposed.
Remember that it is your responsibility to check if a fire ban is in place before carrying out any activities that may start a fire.
A Total Fire Ban (TFB) may be declared by DFES on a day when a fire is likely to spread rapidly due to weather conditions, or if there are already other fires in the state and the resources to fight more fires are not available.
A TFB will usually be declared on the afternoon of the day before the ban is imposed. What you CAN NOT do:
In the open air (which includes a shed or under cover area that is not fully enclosed on all sides) you cannot:
In any area where there is bush, crops, pasture or stubble you cannot use equipment powered by an internal combustion engine, such as:
What you CAN do:
You CAN use a gas or electric BBQ or cooker, if:
If you’re a farmer, you can (unless a HVMB has also been declared):
If you conduct any of these activities, you must make sure that:
TFB Exceptions:
Industry, business and public authorities are able to carry out certain activities without applying to DFES for an exemption. Under changes to the Bush Fire Regulations 1954 the activities that are now permitted (by business or public authorities only – not private individuals) include the following:
Business who plan to carry out any of the above work during a TFB must notify DFES between 24 hours and 30 minutes prior to commencing the work by completing an online form on the DFES website (www.dfes.wa.gov.au ).
For more information about TFBs, and to check if a TFB is in place for your region:
The Shire may declare a Harvest & Vehicle Movement Ban (HVMB) for its district, or areas within its district, during the prohibited or restricted burning times if a Bush Fire Control Officer decides (based on a set of predetermined weather conditions) that the use of any engines, vehicles, plant or machinery is likely to cause a or spread a bush fire.
What you CAN NOT do:
What you CAN do:
Permitted Agricultural Activities:
You can still carry out the following agricultural activities during a HVMB, if you are accompanied by a mobile firefighting unit (carrying a minimum of 600 litres of water):
For more information about HVMBs, and to check if a ban is in place for your area: