Total Fire Ban
A Total Fire Ban (TFB) is declared on days when fires are most likely to threaten lives and property. This is because of predicted extreme fire weather or when there are already widespread fires and firefighting resources are stretched.
Occasionally TFBs may be declared outside of a fire season (such as in May or June) due to other factors such as higher temperatures and expected strong winds preceding a storm front.
A Total Fire Ban is declared by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) on days when fires are most likely to threaten lives and property. This may be due to:
- Weather conditions.
- The number of days since it last rained.
- Amount of vegetation in the area that could burn during a fire.
- Limited firefighting resources available.
How to find out if there is a Total Fire Ban
There are several ways you can find out if a Total Fire Ban has been declared:
- Visit the Emergency WA website.
- Listen to ABC Local Radio.
- Call the DFES Total Fire Ban hotline on 1800 709 355.
- Call 13 DFES 133 337
- Follow DFES on Facebook or Twitter
Activities not permitted during a Total Fire Ban
Some of the activities that are illegal to do during a Total Fire Ban, include:
• Lighting a fire in the open air.
• Using any appliance that consumes solid fuel eg. fire pits.
• Welding, grinding and cutting of metal in the open air.
• Using an internal combustion engine powered equipment in or near bush.
• Using motor bikes, quad bikes or other motorised vehicles in bush or paddocks, unless it is for the feeding or watering of stock.
A full list of restricted activities during a Total Fire Ban is available on the DFES website.
Exemptions
Total Fire Ban exemptions are required for any activity not prescribed in the Bush Fires Regulations 1954 which could cause or is likely to cause a fire. These activities include fireworks, programmed hot fire training, rail grinding, and religious and cultural ceremonies.
To find out more, visit the Department of Fire and Emergency Services website.