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
Bushfire Ready Group Stories
Here are some of our local Bushfire Ready Group stories.
Are you part of a Bushfire Ready group in Denmark? Then you can also tell us your story here. You can include some photos too!
June Preparedness
Bushfire and Hazard Preparedness Summary — Denmark, Western Australia
1. Move Gas Cylinders Away from Likely Bushfire Direction
Gas cylinders pose a significant explosion risk during a bushfire. To relocate them safely:
- Assess your property and identify the most likely direction a fire would approach from, based on prevailing winds and surrounding vegetation. In WA, fires often approach from the north or east during hot, dry conditions.
- Check local council regulations before moving or relocating fixed installations, as there may be rules about minimum distances from structures and boundaries.
- Reposition portable cylinders to the side or rear of the property least likely to face the fire front — ideally behind a solid masonry or brick wall that can act as a heat shield.
- Fixed LPG tanks should be oriented so the pressure relief valve faces away from the expected fire direction. Contact your gas supplier (e.g. Kleenheat or Elgas) to assist with this — do not attempt to move fixed tanks yourself.
- Ensure cylinders are upright and secured to prevent them falling or rolling during the event.
- Attach a garden hose nearby so cylinders can be wetted down during ember attack.
2. Check Gutters and Clean (Repeat in November)
Ember-filled gutters are one of the leading causes of house fires during a bushfire. Here's how to do it properly:
- Use a sturdy ladder with someone spotting at the base, or hire a professional gutter cleaning service.
- Remove all leaf litter, bark, twigs and debris from gutters using a scoop, gloved hands, or a blower.
- Flush gutters with a hose to clear fine debris and check that downpipes are free-flowing and not blocked.
- Inspect gutters for damage — cracks, sagging sections or gaps that could allow embers to enter the roof cavity.
- Consider gutter guards if your property is heavily tree-lined; however, check that the guards themselves don't accumulate debris on top.
- Seal any gaps between the gutter and the fascia board with appropriate mesh or sealant.
- Schedule a repeat clean in November before the fire season peaks — put a reminder in your calendar now.
3. Start or Continue Larger Projects Like Creating Fire Breaks
Firebreaks reduce the speed and intensity of fire as it approaches your property. This is a multi-step project:
- Plan your firebreak layout first — firebreaks are typically cleared strips of land that remove combustible vegetation. In Denmark Shire require an overall 6m wide with a 4m trafficable surface with a 4.5m vertical clearance.
- Check your local government's firebreak notice — most shires in WA issue an annual firebreak notice with specific requirements for width, location and clearing standards. Non-compliance can result in fines and council-imposed clearing at your cost.
- Use a slasher, mulcher or grader (hired or contractor-operated) to clear grass, shrubs and low vegetation along fence lines and property boundaries.
- Remove or chip cut vegetation — don't leave it in piles along the firebreak as it becomes fuel.
- Maintain ground cover at a low height (ideally below 10 cm) within the firebreak zone.
- Create asset protection zones (APZs) around your home by reducing the density of trees and shrubs within 20–40 metres of structures.
- Larger projects like earthworks or tree removal may require permits — check with your local shire and, if near bushland, with DBCA (Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions).
4. Check and Clean Chimneys and Flues
Chimneys and flues can accumulate creosote and debris that can ignite from embers or during a fire event:
- Visually inspect the exterior of the chimney for cracked mortar, damaged flaunching (the mortar cap at the top) or displaced bricks that could allow ember entry.
- Fit or check a spark arrestor/mesh cap at the top of the chimney — this prevents embers from exiting during use and entering from outside during a bushfire.
- Internally, check the flue for creosote build-up (a black, tar-like or flaky residue). Significant build-up is a fire hazard and must be cleaned.
- Hire a licensed chimney sweep if there is heavy creosote build-up — this typically involves brushing the flue from top to bottom and vacuuming the debris from the firebox.
- Check the damper opens and closes properly — a closed damper during a bushfire helps prevent ember and smoke intrusion.
- Inspect the firebox for cracks or gaps in the lining and repair with appropriate refractory mortar if needed.
- For wood heater flues, check the seals around pipe joins and ensure the flue pipe has not corroded or separated.
5. Ensure Your Property Has a Water Supply Ready for Firefighting
A reliable on-site water supply can be the difference between saving and losing your home:
- Calculate your water needs — DFES recommends a minimum of 10,000 litres dedicated to firefighting for rural and semi-rural properties, separate from your household supply.
- Install or maintain a dedicated firefighting tank — poly tanks are common but ensure the tank and its fittings are in good condition with no cracks or leaks.
- Install a tank fitting/outlet at the base of the tank that is compatible with a cam lock fitting so fire trucks can access your supply.
- Fit a gate valve to the tank outlet so flow can be controlled and the line can be connected without water loss.
- Ensure your petrol or diesel-powered firefighting pump is serviced, starts reliably and is primed. Do not rely solely on electric pumps which may fail in a power outage.
- Check hose lengths and fittings — you need enough hose to reach all sides of your house and outbuildings from the pump location.
- Label your tank and pump clearly so that firefighters can locate and use them quickly if needed.
- Consider a static water supply such as a dam or pool, and ensure there is clear vehicle access for fire trucks to within 6 metres and that suction hose can reach the water surface.
- Test the full system now — run the pump, check pressure, and walk the hose around the property to confirm coverage.
These tasks completed in June give you a solid foundation heading into the peak summer fire season. The key principle across all of them is: don't wait until a fire warning is issued — preparation done months in advance is what keeps people and property safe.
For further information, contact the Denmark Shire Council or visit the Shire website. In the event of a fire emergency, call 000.
DFES Video Resources
Other Bushfire Videos - Some for Children
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Do you need a plan
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General good advice
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Bushfires are a part of life in Australia and, as we saw last week, they can have a devastating impact on people’s lives. We find out what families can do to prepare for bushfires and how they can stay safe in an emergency.
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A farmer who sustained serious injuries in a fire
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ABC made for children Behind the News.
Great resource for children