Important Dates

Residents can still legally burn a garden refuse pile without a fire permit as per section 24F(3) of the Bush Fires Act 1954 with the following conditions:

• Only garden refuse is to be burnt.
• Not exceed 1 cubic metre (1m x 1m x 1m)
• Can only burn between 6pm to 11pm.
• Must be fully extinguished no later than midnight the same day.
• Must be fully extinguished by application of water and/or earth. Be sure to not leave piles smouldering as it increases the likelihood of re-ignitions.
• 1 person is in attendance at all times until fully extinguished.
• A means of extinguishing the fire is available and ensure appropriate firebreaks or hazard reduction around the burn area.
• There is no flammable material within 5 metres of the fire at any time while the fire is burning.
• NO burning when a Total Fire Ban or Harvest & Vehicle Movement Ban has been declared.
• NO burning when the Fire Danger Rating is High or above
• NO burning when winds exceed 15km/h

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*No permits to burn will be issued until further notice - effective 6 May 2024.

Fire permits to burn can be obtained by contacting the City of Kalamunda Community Bushfire Preparedness Team on (08) 9257 9999 from Monday to Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm.

OR

Download a Permit to Burn Request Form

Completed Permit to Burn Request Forms can be emailed to enquiries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au or submitted in person during office hours.

Note:
The Community Bushfire Preparedness Officers are City Staff and availability to issue permits may vary in some instances, including attending emergencies within your community. Permit approvals can take up to 5 days, please account for this when submitting a Permit to Burn Request Form.

NO burning is permitted including garden refuse piles when:

• a Total Fire Ban or Harvest & Vehicle Movement Ban has been declared.
• the Fire Danger Rating is High or above
• winds exceed 15km/h

Burning activities where piles exceed 1m³ require a Fire Permit and the following conditions apply:

• The resident has submitted a Permit to Burn Request Form or called and provided details of the request for Fire Permit to the Fire Team.
• Weather conditions are not dangerous and have been checked.
  It is your responsibility as a property owner or resident to be aware of any bans in place before undertaking activities.
• NO burning when a Total Fire Ban or Harvest & Vehicle Movement Ban has been declared
• NO burning when the Fire Danger Rating is High or above (see emergency.wa.gov.au)
• NO burning when winds exceed 15km/h
• Provision of burn date(s) including allowing time for a Fire Control Officer to site the pile you plan to burn.
• A minimum 3 metre bare earth fire break around the pile.
• Neighbours to be notified prior to lighting your fire a minimum of 24 hours verbally or minimum 4 days notice is writing.
• Notifications to DFES (register) of scheduled burn and if living within 3km of forest land to notify DBCA.
• A minimum of 3 people (adults) to remain in attendance of the fire at all times and until fully extinguished.
• Require an adequate water source available on site such as running water from a hose in good condition that can reach past the pile.

NOTE:  A Community Bushfire Preparedness Officer will arrange an appointment time to attend and inspect the burn area prior to issuing a Fire Permit. A Fire Permit is issued for a two week period (subject to seasonal changes). On assessment, a Community Bushfire Preparedness Officer may request additional requirements/conditions be implemented or followed based on any perceived risk.

Tips for planned burning:

• Find out about planning a burn via https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/plannedburning/
• Planned burning under mild and stable weather conditions means the fire burns more slowly and with lower flame heights.
• Fires burn more rapidly when moving up a slope. For every 10 degree increase in uphill slope, a fire will double its speed and intensity.
• When undertaking a planned burn, fires should be lit at the top of a slope to burn downwards and against the wind.
• If you plan to burn, check the weather first. Wind speed, wind direction and relative humidity will all affect your burn.
• Only burn when winds are between 5 and 15km/h. (Subject to local permit conditions)
• Check when it last rained – it’s ideal to burn 2 days after significant rainfall (5 millimetres or greater), but no more than 10 days.
• After your burn, check the area several times a day for at least 2 days, longer if the weather becomes hotter, drier or windier.
• Your burn may continue to smoulder for several days and could potentially reignite and start a bushfire. Monitor the area until you are confident that the burn is completely extinguished.

Permits are not required to burn.

If you are going to burn please consider the following -

• Weather conditions are not dangerous
• That a means of extinguishing the fire is available, such as running water from a hose in good condition that can reach past the pile. 
• Ensure appropriate firebreaks or hazard reduction around the burn area.
• All neighbours are notified, and an adult remains in attendance of the fire at all times.
• Fire is properly extinguished to avoid re-ignition or escaping

It is the responsibility of all residents wanting to burn to check weather conditions and always ensure no burning is to occur if:

• NO lighting in winds exceeding 15km/h
• Light winds can aid in dispersing smoke, but take care that the direction of the wind does not blow the smoke across roads or highways, causing further hazards.

Hints for planned burning:

• Planned burning under mild and stable weather conditions means the fire burns more slowly and with lower flame heights.
• Fires burn more rapidly when moving up a slope. For every 10 degree increase in uphill slope, a fire will double its speed and intensity.
• When undertaking a planned burn, fires should be lit at the top of a slope to burn downwards and against the wind.
• If you plan to burn, check the weather first. Wind speed, wind direction and relative humidity will all affect your burn.
• Only burn when winds are between 5 and 15km/h. (Subject to local permit conditions)
• Check when it last rained – it’s ideal to burn 2 days after significant rainfall (5 millimetres or greater), but no more than 10 days.
• After your burn, check the area several times a day for at least 2 days, longer if the weather becomes hotter, drier or windier.
• Your burn may continue to smoulder for several days and could potentially reignite and start a bushfire. Monitor the area until you are confident that the burn is completely extinguished.

Note:
Always give your neighbours plenty of notice of your intention to burn. Advance notice gives your neighbours time to get the washing off the line and/or make arrangements for anyone with respiratory issues who may be badly affected by smoke. You should also be prepared to reschedule your burn in the event that a neighbour has planned an outside activity on the same day. Events like children’s birthday parties or family gatherings can be spoiled by smoke nuisance so be prepared to be flexible.

Caution:

The City of Kalamunda Health Service is responsible for maintaining public health standards within the community. Environmental Health Officers undertake a variety of statutory and non-statutory activities in order to ensure that the health of both residents and visitors is preserved. Where complaints regarding smoke nuisances are reported, the situation will be promptly investigated and may result in infringement or prosecution.

Burning material at any time which creates a smoke nuisance is an offence under the Health Act, Local Government Act 1995, and Keeping and Control of Animals and Nuisance Local Law 2011, Part 3. An owner or occupier of lands shall not set fire to or allow to be set on fire any rubbish, refuse or material other than dry green waste without the written approval of the Local Government. Pallets, tyres and CCA treated timber must not be burnt at any time.

Consider alternatives to burning off

• Green Waste Wheelie Bin: All garden refuse can be placed in your green top wheelie bin to a maximum of 70kg. (PROHIBITED: hot and cold ashes, rocks, soil, liquids, solvents and heavy materials that overload or damage the bin.)

• Free Skip Bins: Residents are entitled to three free skip bins each year, in any combination of green and general waste bins. The waste from green skip bins is mulched and reused, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill. Find more information here

• Walliston Transfer Station: City of Kalamunda residents do not pay fees for the non-commercial use of the Walliston Transfer Station.Find out more including the operating hours here.

NO BURNING ACTIVITIES ARE PERMITTED during this period at any time.

Prohibited Burning Period dates may be amended, subject to prevailing seasonal conditions.

Find a comprehensive guide to understand what is permitted or prohibited via https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/totalfirebans/#faqs

Burning is always prohibited when the Fire Danger Ratings (FDR) are High or above and if a Total Fire Ban or a Harvest & Vehicle Movement Ban is declared.

Visit Emergency WA Website

Report suspicious behaviour

If you have any information about a fire or suspect somebody of deliberately lighting fires, please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Ongoing vigilance by the community in reporting suspicious behaviour and arson will help minimise the likelihood of bushfire.

Visit Crime Stoppers Website