Be Bushfire Ready
A Bushfire Ready Group is a local community action group aimed at encouraging local residents to work together to prepare and protect their families and properties against bushfires as best they can. Bushfire Ready Groups provide an opportunity for neighbours and friends to network, share ideas and information and to develop and implement strategies which can reduce their bushfire risk.
In a bushfire, a fire truck may not be available to protect every home. This means residents and homeowners need to be responsible for their own safety.
Bushfire Ready is a community-driven program supported by the Department of Fire andContinue reading
A Bushfire Ready Group is a local community action group aimed at encouraging local residents to work together to prepare and protect their families and properties against bushfires as best they can. Bushfire Ready Groups provide an opportunity for neighbours and friends to network, share ideas and information and to develop and implement strategies which can reduce their bushfire risk.
In a bushfire, a fire truck may not be available to protect every home. This means residents and homeowners need to be responsible for their own safety.
Bushfire Ready is a community-driven program supported by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and the Shire of Denmark to increase the resilience to bushfire risk in our community.
Bushfire Ready Groups started in Denmark in 2018 and are already operating in a number of areas.
Why join a local Bushfire Ready Group?
- Learn how to prepare and protect your family and property from bushfire
- Develop a Bushfire Plan
- Learn about bushfire behaviour
- Reduce fire risks around homes, streets and surrounding bushland
- Meet your neighbours and develop support networks
- Know what to expect from Emergency Services during a bushfire
Who is my local Bushfire Ready facilitator?
- Town - Noni Entwhistle
- East Denmark - Karen Burford
- Mount Lindesay - Murray Brooker
- Howe Road - Em Harper Gen Steed
- Shadforth - Nigel Marsh and John Maxwell
- Mohr Drive - Sally Ingham and Vicki Squires
- Ocean Beach - Sara Coyne, Leith Brown, Diana Plyley
- Somerset Hill - John Maxwell
- Kordabup Owingup - John Maxwell
- Nornalup - Gail Guthrie
- William Bay - Nadja Hasenauer
Where to begin a Bushfire Emergency Plan
- Contact a Bushfire Ready facilitator near you for more information. They have resources they can give you to help write a Bushfire Emergency Plan
- Download the 'My Bushfire Plan' app to your smart phone
- Use DFES resources to help you prepare your plan
- Sit down with pen and paper and write a clear Bushfire Emergency Plan
Essential information in case of bushfire
- Call 000 if you see smoke or flames
- Call 000 if you are worried about someone's safety
- Emergency broadcasts are aired to ABC radio at regular intervals. Tune in online or set your radio to 630AM
- Monitor conditions. Useful websites include
- Emergency WA
- Bushfire IO
- Facebook pages for Shire of Denmark and DFES
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Harvest and Vehicle Movement Bans
Share Harvest and Vehicle Movement Bans on Facebook Share Harvest and Vehicle Movement Bans on Twitter Share Harvest and Vehicle Movement Bans on Linkedin Email Harvest and Vehicle Movement Bans linkMovement bans are only declared in the most serious of fire danger weather conditions and they impact every resident and visitor to our Shire.
There’s still a bit of confusion about what you can and can’t do during this type of ban which prohibits all ‘off-road activity’.
- ‘Off-road’ means anywhere that isn’t a proper gravel or sealed road.
- ‘Activity’ means the use of an internal combustion engine.
Here are some examples of what ‘no off-road activity’ means:
- No driving to places like Boat Harbour (4WD tracks are a no-go)
- No lawn mowing (absolutely no use of any internal combustion engine on any surface other than a proper road)
- No parking on our grassed area here at the Shire of Denmark admin building (park in the visitor carpark if we’re out of space in proper car parks)
- No checking your horses unless you walk into their paddocks.
Basically, you should not do anything that has the potential to start a fire, even if it’s inconvenient or will hinder your work.
All the proper info including definitions and some FAQs are available at www.denmark.wa.gov.au/burn
Remember you’re not automatically listed to receive updates about bans and other important information via our SMS alerts system. If you’re not already subscribed, please consider doing so at www.denmark.wa.gov.au/subscribe. Please also encourage your friends, family and networks to do so too. We don’t send spam, only critical community information.
Don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions!
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Can I light a fire on a HIGH fire danger day?
Share Can I light a fire on a HIGH fire danger day? on Facebook Share Can I light a fire on a HIGH fire danger day? on Twitter Share Can I light a fire on a HIGH fire danger day? on Linkedin Email Can I light a fire on a HIGH fire danger day? linkNO you cannot. It does not matter what time of the year if the fire danger rating is HIGH you cannot light a fire.
Some government bodies such as DBCA have exemptions to the law to carry out prescribed burns. Check the www.emergencywa.gov.au website to find out more information.
If you see smoke call 000
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Bushfire Insurance
Share Bushfire Insurance on Facebook Share Bushfire Insurance on Twitter Share Bushfire Insurance on Linkedin Email Bushfire Insurance linkPrior to bushfire season you should check and update your insurance policy. Some key points to ask your insurer:
Does my policy cover demolition and removal of rubble? Can be anywhere between $25,000 to $100,000. Add extra if Asbestos is present.
Does my policy cover accommodation should my house be lost? If your house is lost it can take between 3 and 5 years to have it rebuilt. You may also have to meet a higher standard BAL rating adding costs to your rebuild.
Am I covered for smoke damage? Your home may not be lost to the fire but have been engulfed with smoke for days, leading to smoke damage to soft furnishings, carpets, bedding, clothing etc. Some policies do not cover smoke damage.
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Common Bushfire Myths
Share Common Bushfire Myths on Facebook Share Common Bushfire Myths on Twitter Share Common Bushfire Myths on Linkedin Email Common Bushfire Myths linkMyth: Firefighters and Emergency Services will come and tell me when I need to leave.
Fact: To survive a bushfire, you must take responsibility for yourself and be prepared to make your own decisions. Do not 'wait and see', do not expect a knock at your door.
Myth: "I'll be fine, the bush is a few streets away."
Fact: Most houses are burnt in bushfires because of ember attacks. Embers can cause fires many kilometres in front of the main fire and can start falling up to an hour before the fire arrives at your home. You need to make sure that your home is properly prepared to withstand ember attack.
Myth: The Fire Danger Rating is the likelihood of a fire starting on any given day.
Fact: The higher the Fire Danger Rating, the more dangerous the situation would be if a fire started. If a fire starts on a severe, extreme or catastrophic day, the fire will be unpredictable, almost impossible to control or contain. Find out more about Fire Danger Ratings here.
Myth: The safest place to shelter in a house from a bushfire is a bathroom.
Fact: The bathroom is not the best location to shelter from fire. The room you choose to shelter in should be on the ground floor with two exits (one that goes out to a gravel or concrete area), preferably where you can see the fire front approach.
Myth: You don't need to evacuate from your home until an emergency warning.
Fact: By this time, it may be too late. Smoke reduces visibility, you may not know the safest route to leave and your route could be blocked. The safest option is to leave early.
Myth: I pay an Emergency Services levy in my rates, so Emergency Services will be available to defend my property.
Fact: There are not enough fire trucks and personnel for every house. Firefighters will do their very best to defend all properties which need defending, but they must make strategic decisions for the greater benefit. Preparing yourself, your family and your property for bushfire is your responsibility. Now is the time to prepare.
Myth: "We'll have plenty of time to pack up and go."
Fact: Bushfire can start suddenly and without warning. Now is the time to have a discussion about fire with your family, visitors and housemates about what you will do if a bushfire occurs. Have an Emergency Kit ready to go in case you are evacuated or cut off during a bushfire.
Myth: "I'll leave when I receive a text message or phone call."
Fact: A telephone warning might be sent to your mobile or landline in extreme circumstances. But this cannot be guaranteed and should not be relied upon for your safety. No warning system is foolproof - do not wait to be contacted by mobile or landline.
Up-coming Bushfire Ready Events
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Community Information sessions and workshops
Be Bushfire Ready is currently at this stageCome along to the Ocean Beach BFB Shed on Sunday 23rd February 3pm till 5pm to find out how you can Be Bushfire Ready.
Know your risks own your safety. Risks specific to the Ocean Beach Area.
An informative session for residents living in OCEAN BEACH, LIGHTS BEACH, WEEDON HILL and LITTLE RIVER AREA.
How to stay informed and how to keep your family safe.
A must for all residents new or old.
Speaker Mel Haymont (DFES
540 OCEAN BEACH ROAD
Who's Listening
Important Links and Resources
- DFES Bushfire Preparation Toolkit
- Create Your Bushfire Plan Now
- Recovering from Bushfire
- Familiarise Yourself With Emergency WA
- Find Today's Daily Fire Danger Rating
- Tune into ABC Local Radio for Emergency Broadcasts
- Sign-up to Shire of Denmark SMS Alert System
- Preparing an Emergency Kit
- Follow Shire of Denmark on Facebook
- DFES Burn Smart Guide
DFES Video Resources
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Click here to play video Understanding DFES Alerts and Warnings
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Click here to play video Prepare Your Property for Bushfire
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Click here to play video How to Stay Informed
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Click here to play video Guide to Emergency WA
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Click here to play video Communications During a Natural Disaster
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Click here to play video Have You Got a Bushfire Plan?
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Click here to play video Total Fire Bans