West Australian authorities are set to ban burning in the Perth area due to the escalating bushfire risk across the state.

November 8, 2023

The increasing bushfire risk in West Australia has prompted the authorities to bring burning restrictions forward, as the state’s top firefighter warns not enough people have survival plans.

Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said the seasonal conditions were about five to eight weeks ahead of where they would normally be.

“The bushfire season has arrived in WA much earlier this year,” he said on Wednesday.

WA firefighters have battled more than 100 blazes in the past fortnight, including in the Perth suburbs.

“We simply can’t afford fire being introduced to the landscape any longer,’ Mr Klemm said as he explained the early introduction of the restrictions that take effect on Friday.

He expressed concern about the public’s lack of preparedness to deal with bushfires.

“We’re still not seeing enough people creating bushfire plans,” he said.

“The recent fires in Bold Park and Kings Park are a salient reminder that bushfires can still affect suburban areas.”

He urged people to make a bushfire plan.

“Prepare an emergency kit and stay alert because all signs point to a long, hot and severe bushfire season,” he said.

Prohibited burning times across 13 local governments in the Perth area will start on Friday, with landowners and local governments no longer able to undertake planned burning activities or set fire to bushland.

The restriction will also make it unlawful to light campfires and undertake activities such as stubble burning, waste management and reducing fuel loads.

“It’s not something we do every year but it’s necessary considering the conditions we’re faced with,” Mr Klemm said.