Fire and Burning Information

Emergency WA is your first point of call for all bushfire related information in Western Australia. In an emergency, call 000.

At any time throughout the year, when the Daily Fire Danger Rating is HIGH, EXTREME OR CATASTROPHIC, lighting a fire is AGAINST THE LAW, with NO EXEMPTIONS.

Burning Periods and Permits
Fire Management Notice and Property Maintenance Period
Camp and Cooking Fires
Total Fire Bans and Vehicle Movement Bans
Bushfire Risk Mitigation Program
Volunteer Bushfire Brigade Assisted Control Burns
Bushfire Brigade Districts and Fire Control Officers
Community SMS Alert System
Local Emergency Management Arrangements
Fire Safety and Bushfire Frequently Asked Questions

Burning Periods and Permits

Lighting a fire, for the purposes of hazard reduction or for camping or cooking, should always be taken seriously.

There are restrictions upon when you may or may not light a fire, and it is always your responsibility to be aware of what you can and cannot do.

For the safety of our community, the Shire of Denmark has the following Burning Periods to help us manage the risk of bushfire.

Penalties apply under the Bush Fires Act 1954. These dates are subject to conditions and may change.

2023/24 Burning Periods

Unrestricted^*: 1 May 2023 - 31 October 2023

Restricted^ (permit required): 1 November 2023 - 15 December 2023

PROHIBITED: 16 December 2023 - 29 February 2024

Restricted^ (permit required): 1 March 2024 - 30 April 2024

Unrestricted^: 1 May 2024 - 31 October 2024

^Burning only permitted if the Daily Fire Danger Rating is Moderate or No Rating.

*Permits required for burning standing bush from 1 October 2023 to 14 November 2023

Frequently Asked Question: What can and can't I do during the different Burning Periods?

Frequently Asked Question: What is a Permit to Burn and how do I get one?

Fire Management Notice and Property Maintenance Period

All owners and occupiers of land within the Shire of Denmark must comply with the annual Firebreak and Fuel Management Notice.

You MUST maintain your property to the requirements of the notice for the entirety of the maintenance period 1 December to 30 April.

There are several good reasons why it's important we all understand and comply with our responsibilities under the Firebreak and Fuel Management Notice:

Reducing the risk of bushfire on our properties and neighbouring properties
Reducing the risk of harm to our bushfire volunteers in the event of a bushfire
It's against the law to fail to comply with the notice
Non-compliance can lead to fines

There are many requirements in the Firebreak and Fuel Management Notice. If you need help understanding any aspect of the notice, it's your responsibility to take the necessary steps to educate yourself so your property can be compliant in time for the maintenance period.

Please visit our Firebreak and Fuel Management Notice page for more information.

Camp and Cooking Fires

Camping and cooking fires are NOT PERMITTED in any Shire reserves, beaches, caravan parks, holiday properties, vacant land or roadside parking pays.

For residents of the Shire, camping and cooking fires are permitted on private property subject to the following strict conditions:

Daily Fire Danger Rating is Moderate or No Rating and;
within 20 metres of a permanent residence (must be a building approved by the Shire and NOT temporary accommodation, caravan or temporary shed) and;
within a 3 metre radius clear of combustible material and;
contained within one of the following options:
- a purpose built structure of bricks or rocks and mortar
- a purpose built steel container recognisable as a properly constructed barbecue
- a fire pit structure, suitable for a campfire or cooking fire, that has a maximum diameter of one metre and a minimum depth of 30cm
the fire must always be attended and you must have the ability and means to extinguish the fire close at hand

Total Fire Bans and Vehicle Movement Bans

A Total Fire Ban is declared by DFES when the bushfire risk is heightened. Strict conditions are imposed on residents and visitors when a Total Fire Ban is declared in the Shire of Denmark.

Information about what you can't do during a Total Fire Ban is available on the DFES website. Penalties apply for failing to comply with a Total Fire Ban.

It is your responsibility to be aware of whether or not a Total Fire Ban has been declared on any given day. Get into the daily habit of checking Emergency WA or tune into ABC local radio.

A Vehicle Movement Ban is declared by the Shire of Denmark upon advice from the Chief Bushfire Control Officer.

Bushfire Risk Mitigation Program

Each year, the Shire reviews and rolls out a bushfire risk mitigation program to reduce the risk of bushfire on Shire land.

Contractors utilise a range of methods (including mulching, slashing, spraying, hazard reduction burning and more) to carry out the program.

More information is available on our Mitigation Program webpage.

Volunteer Bushfire Brigade Assisted Control Burns

Local brigades are able to assist with controlled burning to reduce fuel levels on your property. To apply for a Hazard Reduction on your property, please download and complete an application form with your local Fire Control Officer and contact the Shire's Community Emergency Services Manager on 9848 0300. Fees apply.

Hourly Rates 2023/24:

Light Tanker: $60

1.4 Rural Tanker: $75

2.4 Rural/Urban Tanker: $95

3.4/4.4 Rural/Urban Tanker: $105

Bushfire Brigade Districts and Fire Control Officers

A map of the local Bushfire Brigade Districts is available to view and download here.

Key Contacts

Chief Bushfire Control Officer: Lez Baines 0428 788 008

Deputy Chief Bushfire Control Officer: Nigel Marsh 0408 956 133

Senior Fire Control Officer: Shane Howlett 0412 013 860

Community Emergency Services Manager: Mark Guerin 0428 913 937

Ranger Services: 9848 0300

Local Fire Control Officers (current as at August 2023)

Carmarthen: Craig Hughes 0407 223 297

East Denmark: Chris Hoare 0447 482 244

Harewood: Chris Hudson 0467 819 912

Hazelvale: Alex Williams 0417 188 843

Kordabup: Craig Lilley 0417 746 848

Mt Lindesay: Murray Brooker 0429 094 136

Nornalup: Ian Coulson 0402 764 712

Ocean Beach: Graham Dixon 0412 920 069

Owingup: Paul Moncrieff 0413 117 192

Peaceful Bay: VACANT (contact Trevor Brown 0438 967 258)

Scotsdale/Shadforth: Geoff Bowley 0429 875 850

Somerset Hill: Gavin Butler 0437 972 053

Tingledale: Brian Vigus 0417 188 158

William Bay: Blair Darvill 0427 333 664

Denmark Town: Darin Hockley 0417 968 776 / Grant Wilson 0487 119 195

How to Become a Volunteer

Like most country Emergency Services, brigades in the Shire of Denmark rely on volunteers to dedicate their time to protect our community from bushfires. Please contact your local Fire Control Officer to enquire about joining your local brigade.

Community SMS Alert System

The Shire of Denmark has a SMS Alert System which is quick and simple to sign up to receive notices from. Click here to subscribe to receive important community notices.

While this can be used to provide information about Total Fire Bans, road closures and emergency information, it should NOT be relied upon to inform you of an emergency or when you need to evacuate. Waiting for an SMS Alert to tell you to evacuate in the case of an emergency is like waiting for someone to knock on your door which you should never rely on. Instead, you should have a Bushfire Plan that details your triggers to know when it’s time to evacuate and what to do next.

Make your Bushfire Plan today, visit: https://mybushfireplan.wa.gov.au/

Local Emergency Management Arrangements

Access a copy of the Shire of Denmark's Local Emergency Management Arrangements (LEMA).

The document is currently under review.

Fire Safety and Bushfire Frequently Asked Questions

What can and can't I do during the different Burning Periods?
What is a Permit to Burn and how do I get one?
How do I lower the risk of my planned burn?
What activities are banned during a Total Fire Ban?
I can see smoke. What do I do?
Will someone knock on my door or send me a SMS if a fire is coming towards my home?
How do I join a volunteer fire brigade?
Where can I find the Daily Fire Danger Rating?
Am I allowed to light a campfire?
Where can I get support to understand the Firebreak and Fuel Management Notice?
What is the Shire doing to reduce the bushfire risk in our Shire?
What can I do to make sure I'm prepared for bushfire season?

What can and can't I do during the different Burning Periods?

During the Prohibited Burning Period, it is illegal to light a fire in the Shire of Denmark.

(Exemptions may be granted for government authorities to carried out hazard reduction burns during this time.)

For residents of the Shire, there is an exemption for camping and cooking fires subject to the following strict conditions:

Daily Fire Danger Rating is Moderate or No Rating and;
within 20 metres of a permanent residence (must be a building approved by the Shire and NOT temporary accommodation, caravan or temporary shed) and;
within a 3 metre radius clear of combustible material and;
contained within one of the following options:
- a purpose built structure of bricks or rocks and mortar
- a purpose built steel container recognisable as a properly constructed barbecue
- a fire pit structure, suitable for a campfire or cooking fire, that has a maximum diameter of one metre and a minimum depth of 30cm
the fire must always be attended and you must have the ability and means to extinguish the fire close at hand

During the Restricted Burning Period, you must obtain a Permit to Burn and comply with the permit conditions, as well as the Bush Fires Act 1954.

Contact your local Fire Control Officer to request a Permit to Burn.

During the Unrestricted Burning Period, a Permit to Burn is not required, but you must still be aware of the Daily Fire Danger Rating and act responsibly.

DFES has resources available to help you Burn Smart.

What is a Permit to Burn and how do I get one?

A Permit to Burn is a signed agreement between you and an Authorised Officer which allows you to conduct a burn on your property under strict conditions during the Restricted Burning Period.

You can apply for a Permit by contacting your local Fire Control Officer. Please allow 48 hours prior to your planned burn to apply for your Permit.

Permits are issued under strict conditions and can be revoked at any time. You must comply with the conditions of your Permit.

How do I lower the risk of my planned burn?

The DFES Burn SMART guide is designed to assist property owners in planning and implementing planned burns when conditions are suitable to safely reduce bushfire risk.

What activities are banned during a Total Fire Ban?

It’s a long list! Details and frequently asked questions specific to Total Fire Bans are available on the DFES website.

Remember harsh penalties apply for breaking a Total Fire Ban, so it is important to make yourself familiar with what you are and are not allowed to do.

I can see smoke. What do I do?

All registered fires will be listed on Emergency WA (www.emergency.wa.gov.au)

If you cannot find the fire on Emergency WA, call 000 immediately.

Will someone knock on my door or send me an SMS if a fire is coming towards my home?

Firefighters will be fighting the fire, not advising residents of the risk.

Waiting for someone to knock on your door or send you a SMS is NEVER a good idea. Instead, you should be aware of the risks and threats around you, and have a Bushfire Plan prepared ahead of bushfire season.

Get into the daily habit of checking Emergency WA and make your Bushfire Plan before it's too late.

If you need more support to prepare for bushfire season, Denmark is lucky to have a range of Bushfire Ready Groups which can help. These groups are people living within a local area, facing the same bushfire threat, and who often have existing social networks already in place. The groups are run by a Bushfire Ready Facilitator, assisted by Street Coordinators and supported by Fire and Emergency Services personnel. They meet informally to learn and discuss how to become Bushfire Ready and work together to prepare and protect their families and properties against bushfires.

If you’re interested in joining a Bushfire Ready group near you, email fireready@denmark.wa.gov.au

For more info about Bushfire Ready, head over to www.yourdenmark.wa.gov.au/be-bush-fire-ready

How do I join a volunteer fire brigade?

If becoming a volunteer interests you, please contact your local Fire Control Officer. They will guide you through the steps to signing up and help you along the way.

To take part in active firefighting roles you will need to undertake training provided by DFES and Local Government, attend regular brigade activities and be of satisfactory health and fitness.

Your nearest brigade may also have non-active positions available such as Base Radio Operator, Secretary, Maintenance Officer, Treasurer or Training Officer.

DFES has information on what’s involved on its website.

Where can I find the Daily Fire Danger Rating?

Right here: Emergency WA

Am I allowed to light a campfire?

Camp and cooking fires are not permitted on public land including beaches, reserves, campsites and road reserves.