Department of Fire and Emergency Services urges landowners to plan burns with caution after devastating season

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has reminded landowners to conduct planned burns with caution as the restricted and prohibited burning periods come to a close across the south of WA. The reminder comes at the end of a devastating high-threat fire period for southern WA with homes lost and thousands of hectares ravaged in blazes across the Great Southern, South West and Wheatbelt in February. Denmark faced its biggest threat in recent memory during a bushfire that destroyed four homes and more than 2150ha over three days. From Thursday, local governments will lift restricted and prohibited burning periods so landowners can undertake controlled burns to reduce fuel loads on their properties. Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said planned burns played a critical role in protecting communities from intense summer blazes but could have devastating consequences if poorly managed. Private landowners can find information on how to protect their communities and conduct controlled burns over the cooler months through DFES’ Burn SMART resources. “In the wrong conditions, a planned burn can escape your property and become an uncontrollable bushfire that threatens lives and homes,” Mr Klemm said. “I encourage anyone carrying out a planned burn to take JUadvantage of Burn SMART’s suite of resources to upskill or refresh themselves on the best practices. “They guide landowners through the process of developing a burn plan for their property, understanding fuel and weather conditions and ensuring they have met local requirements.” To view and download Burn SMART resources, visit dfes.wa.gov.au/plannedburning.