Dangerous bushfires can start at any time. It’s important to understand your risks and plan what you’ll do to keep safe when a bushfire threatens your home and family.
One of the most critical and valuable things you can do is to make a bushfire plan. Take 5 minutes now to discuss these simple questions:
When will you leave?
What will you take?
Where will you go?
If you think you and your family are not at risk of bushfire, you should think again.
Over 90% of WA is bushfire prone.
Bushfires can happen anywhere and at any time, so it's important to know and understand the risks that affect you.
Is your property in a bushfire prone area? Find out for yourself with the Bushfire Prone Map.
Western Australia is joining with other states and territories to deliver nationally consistent emergency information through the Australian Warning System (AWS). The AWS is an easy-to-understand warning system to help you stay safe during an emergency, no matter where in the country you are. New bushfire warning colours are now on Emergency WA, and over time you'll see more changes to emergency information as we achieve national consistency.
If you live with any of these high-risk factors, you’ll need to prepare your home, property and family in case of a bushfire. It is important that you and your family decide and agree on what you will do if a bushfire threatens your home. Take 5 minutes now to start your bushfire plan with your household and neighbours.
Bushfires can happen all year round. But during the hottest and driest times of the year, bushfire risk is at its highest.
On hot, dry and windy days, there’s a much higher chance of a bushfire starting and getting out of control. If you’re travelling on these days:
If you plan to travel in bushfire season it’s essential you know what to do if you encounter a bushfire. Every year, people are killed or seriously injured by bushfires. If you’re travelling or staying near bushland, fire is a real risk for you. Follow our tips below to stay safe when travelling this bushfire season.
An open campfire is part of camping. But campfires can easily cause a bushfire if you do not build or extinguish them correctly. Follow our simple tips below to stay safe when you’re camping.
Carelessly discarded cigarette butts are a frequent cause of fires.
Over seven billion cigarette butts are discarded across Australia every year and are the most frequently recorded type of litter in Western Australia.
Careless disposal of a cigarette butt can also be very costly, attracting a fine of up to $500 for an individual.
Make sure your butt is fully extinguished before disposing of it and never throw it from a car.
If you see someone carelessly dispose of a cigarette you can report the offence to Keep Australia Beautiful WA at www.kabc.wa.gov.au or phone 1300 766 541.
Cigarette butt littering fines have increased from $75 to $200 for individuals and $500 for corporations (businesses). The fine for lit cigarettes is higher, $500 for individuals and $2,000 for corporations. During a Total Fire Ban the fine is severe - $25,000 and/or 12 months in jail.