Are you doing your bit to prevent and prepare for fire?
View the Annual Fire Season Guide.
Red Hill bushfire
Read the latest update about recovery efforts for the Red Hill bushfire.
Fire danger ratings
Fire danger ratings are calculated daily by the Bureau of Meteorology and describe the level of danger should a bushfire start. It is calculated using a combination of forecasted weather conditions and local vegetation types.
City of Swan is located within two fire rating districts:
- Swan Coastal North
- Swan Inland North
Fire danger ratings are also available on Emergency WA Warnings and Incidents and Bureau of Meteorology weather forecasts.
Fire Safety Bans
Total Fire Bans or Harvest and Vehicle Movement Bans are declared on days when the likelihood of certain activities starting a fire is significant, control of a fire is likely to be difficult, or firefighting resources are already stretched. Both bans are often in effect at the same time, but this is not always the case.
When a ban is in effect it is illegal to carry out activities prohibited under that ban. The responsibility remains on the individual to find out if a ban is in effect prior to carrying out these activities. Significant penalties apply should you ignore or commit and offence in relation to a fire ban.
Firebreaks and hazard reduction
Firebreak installation and hazard reduction is a legal requirement that is outlined within the City of Swan Fire Hazard Reduction Notice.
Property owners are therefore required to ensure that their properties comply with all requirements within the Annual Firebreak notice from November 1 with standards maintained until April 30 the following year. Property owners that do not comply with the City of Swan firebreak requirements may be infringed, or hazard reduction work may be carried out by the City of Swan at the property owner’s expense.
Alternative firebreaks
If it is impractical for you to install firebreaks along all or parts of your internal boundaries, you may request permission to install a firebreak in an alternative location or of a different nature. Your request must be received by October 1 to be considered.
Please complete the alternative firebreak application form(open in new window) and submit it to swan@swan.wa.gov.au.
Fire hazard advisory service
The City of Swan has a dedicated Fire Hazard Inspection Officer who can come to your property and help you develop a plan to manage the risk on your land. This officer can assist you with:
- Managing the fuel load around your home (Asset Protection Zone)
- Developing a staged plan for fuel management on your property including safe hazard reduction burning and mechanical vegetation management
- Understanding firebreak requirements and placement, prior to formal inspections
- Understanding important information that assists in developing your household’s bushfire plan.
Please note, this service is reserved for rural properties in fire-prone areas. For more information, please contact (08) 9267 9022.
Bushfire Advisory Committee
The Bush Fire Advisory Committee advises the City on bushfire matters such as prevention, preparedness and response.
The Committee consists of the following representatives/officers:
- Council Representative/s
- Deputy Delegate Councillor/s
- Chief Executive Officer (or delegate)
- Manager Community Safety
- Coordinator Fire and Emergency Management
- Chief Bush Fire Control Officer
- Volunteer Deputy Chief Bush Fire Control Officers
- Volunteer Brigade Captains (or delegates)
- Volunteer Local Government Fire Training Coordinator
- Department of Fire and Emergency Services
- Department of Parks and Wildlife Meetings
Residents and community members are welcome to attend committee meetings, which are held in the Council Chambers at the Midland Town Hall commencing at 6.00pm and are held on every second Thursday of the 3rd month (except December).
Future dates
- 7 December 2023
Bush Fire Control Officers
It is hereby advised that the following persons are appointed as City of Swan Bush Fire Control Officers under the Bush Fires Act 1954, Part IV Division 1 Section 38.