BURNING restrictions in the metropolitan area have been brought forward in response to the escalating fire danger across the state, including the shires of Mundaring and Chittering and the cities of Swan and Kalamunda.

Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said the decision was prompted by the increasing bushfire risk across large parts of WA and prohibited burning times will be in effect from Friday, November 10.    

“This decision ensures that we have a unified approach across the entire metropolitan area. It’s not something we do every year, but it’s necessary considering the conditions we’re faced with,” Mr Klemm said.

“The seasonal conditions are roughly five to eight weeks ahead of where they would typically be – the bushfire season has arrived in Western Australia much earlier this year.

“The events of the last two weeks, which culminated in emergency services dealing with more than 100 fires on Saturday, mean we simply can’t afford fire being introduced to the landscape any longer.”

Prohibited burning times across 13 local governments will commence from Friday.

This means landowners and local governments will no longer be able to undertake planned burning activities or set fire to bushland.

Prohibited burning times are implemented in consultation with local governments and make it unlawful to set fire to the landscape, including activities such as campfires, stubble burning, waste management and reducing fuel loads.

Mr Klemm said FESA had been speaking with local governments, who are the key stakeholders affected by this decision, and they had already indicated they were looking at introducing their prohibited burning times earlier than expected.

“Department of Fire and Emergency Services staff will be liaising with local governments this week to help them manage the transition.”

He issued a reminder to the public to ensure they were preparing themselves and their families for the bushfire season.

“Emergency services, local governments and other agencies are all working together, using every lever possible to reduce the bushfire risk and prepare our state,” he said.

“We’re still not seeing enough people creating bushfire plans. The recent fires in Bold Park and Kings Park are a salient reminder that bushfires can still affect suburban areas.

“Make a bushfire plan, prepare an emergency kit and stay alert because all signs point to a long, hot and severe bushfire season.”