Fire restrictions and permits
Restricted and Prohibited Burning Periods
The Restricted Burning Period runs in in two parts, the first from 1 October to 31 October annually and the second part from 9 March to 30 April annually. During the Restricted Burning Period, a permit (see below) is required from the Shire before any burning operations can be carried out - this includes the burning of rubbish and garden refuse.
The Prohibited Burning Period runs from 1 November to 8 March annually. No burning is allowed for any reason during this period. This includes open cooking or camping fires or the burning of rubbish and garden refuse.
Residents should note that the Restricted and Prohibited Burning Periods may be extended due to unseasonal weather conditions. These will be advertised in newspapers and through the Shire’s SMS Harvest, Vehicle Movement & Hot Works Ban SMS notification service, but if in doubt please contact the Shire.
Failing to comply with the Restricted and Prohibited burning period can result in fines or prosecution.
Permits
During the Restricted Burning Period, a permit must first be obtained from the Shire. Permits will only be issued for legitimate mitigation outcomes or for primary producer requirements. Permits will not be issued for social occasions, burning of rubbish, or for burning which can be reasonably deferred or avoided.
If you are considering applying for a permit, please ensure that you have read and understand all of the information on this page before proceeding as it will assist with the completion of the application form.
If granted, all conditions on the permits must be strictly adhered to. Failing to obtain a permit or breach of permit conditions can result in fines or prosecution under the Bush Fires Act 1954.
During the second (Autumn) portion of the Restricted Burning Period, preference will be given to primary producers for crop preparation purposes.
Permits will have a maximum 7-day duration, with an exception for bona fide, broad acre stubble-burning crop preparation operations, which may be applied for a maximum duration of 28 days.
All permits are automatically void on:
- Sundays
- Public holidays (including Easter Saturday)
- Days of High, Extreme or Catastrophic fire danger, as forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology for the Swan Inland North district
- Days of Total Fire Ban
- During a Harvest, Vehicle Movement or Hot Works Ban
- During a Bush Fires Act section 46 declaration
Permits require notification to adjoining landholders/occupiers (usually between 4 and 28 days before burning). Notification is also required to DFES to ensure the burn is correctly displayed on the Emergency WA website, prior to and for the duration of burning. Burning within 3km of DBCA land requires additional notification to DBCA. Other permit conditions will include, but are not limited to, minimum firefighting water and equipment, minimum personnel for supervision until fully extinguished.
To apply for a permit, please compete the Online Application Form. To complete the form, you will be required to supply the following details:
- Correct answers to five questions which indicate applicant’s understanding of permit responsibilities
- Your full name
- Your residential address – PO boxes will not be accepted
- Location (RSN address and/or lot and plan) of the burn – find my address or parcel details (external site)
- Phone number(s)
- UHF channel (if available)
- Type of burn (i.e. stubble, grass, bush)
- Preferred permit commencement date
In line with the Bush Fire Regulations 15B(2), a minimum four days notice must be provided to the Shire. The Shire will endeavour to respond to permit requests within this notification period. Permits issued with commencement date sooner than the minimum notification period will be at the sole discretion of the Shire.
To assist processing your request, when providing parcel descriptions, please provide the full and current details (i.e. Lot and Plan Number). Quoting superseded or incomplete parcel descriptions may delay your request as the Shire uses current Landgate data to verify locations. Landgate has a map viewer to assist the public in confirming addresses or lot details.
Burning Road Verges
It is illegal to set fire to the verge or let a fire burn onto the verge. In limited circumstances, a permit to burn the verge may be issued by delegated Shire Officers under the Shire’s Thoroughfares and Trading in Thoroughfares and Public Places Local Law. Applications must demonstrate to the satisfaction of a delegated officer:
- a bush fire risk hazard which;
- cannot be reduced by any other method or;
- would be beneficial to the conservation of flora or fauna.
A map or accurate sketch of the burn proposal is also a requirement of an application for permit.
Applications for burning after August 31 or before May 1 in any given year cannot be considered by the Shire Officers.
Applications shall also address any risks to driver or worker safety through the submission of a suitable Traffic Management Plan when required. Plans must be in accordance with AS 1742.3 and the Main Roads Code of Practice. A Traffic Management Plan shall be developed and implemented by qualified personnel and submitted to the Shire prior for approval.
Applications should be made in writing to the Shire addressing the above. Please do not use the online form link from the previous section on this page.