Bushfire Preparedness 2024/25

In the City of Armadale we are lucky enough to live around thick, luscious bushland. However, with this comes the shared responsibility of safeguarding our homes against the risk of bushfire.

If you see a fire, please contact the Fire Department on 000 as Rangers are not equipped for firefighting.

Do you have a bushfire plan?

Creating a bushfire plan takes just 15 minutes and is the best way to keep your household safe. You can create a plan online or by downloading the My Bushfire Plan app.

Prepare your home and property

Firefighters will be too busy fighting fires on the frontline to defend your home and property, so it is your responsibility to be prepared. Download, print and complete the Property Preparation Checklist to give your home and property the best possible chance of surviving a bushfire.

Are you travelling during bushfire season?

Firebreaks

Firebreaks must be in place by 1 November 2024 and remain in place until 30 April 2025.

A firebreak is a strip of land, which has been cleared of all flammable material such as wood, leaves and grass. Firebreaks must be easily accessible to vehicles with vegetation cleared to a maximum height of 50mm. A firebreak cannot terminate or lead to a dead end.

While firebreaks do not actually stop fires or prevent them, they do provide vehicle access for firefighters during a bushfire and assist with the prevention of fires spreading.

Some key points to remember are:

• All properties over 5,000 square metres are required to have a firebreak
• If your property is less than 5,000 square metres need to have their properties clear of flammable materials
• If you require a variation to the firebreak requirements you must submit an application form by 1 October each year.

The City of Armadale conducts firebreak inspections each year, with hefty fines applicable for properties that do not comply.

Fire permit

Fire Bans

When a Total Fire Ban or a Harvest or Vehicle Movement Ban is declared it is illegal to light a fire or carry out any activity that is likely to cause a fire. Fire bans are in place from 1 December to 31 March each year, however this is subject to seasonal conditions and may change.

For up to date information on Total Fire Bans, please see the Department of Fire and Emergency Service’s (DFES) website.