Bushfire Ready
Around 97% of our Shire is declared bushfire prone being subject, or likely to be subject, to a bushfire attack.
It’s important to plan ahead for emergency situations, especially if you live in areas prone to natural disasters. It could save you and your family’s life. The Emergency WA website provides you with simple advice and directs you to resources where you can find practical actions to prepare for and cope during a range of emergencies.
Incorporating your animals in a bushfire plan is something that should be well considered, not only for the welfare of your animals, but for the safety of others and the emergency services teams.
Are you staying or going?
Deciding whether to evacuate or stay and defend must be planned well before an emergency. You need to have clear, measurable triggers as to when you will implement your plan; an example may be once DFES issue a bushfire warning or possibly when the fire danger rating is at a certain point (Severe, Extreme or Catastrophic). Whether evacuating or staying, you should have an emergency kit ready before the event, including leads and carriers, sufficient food and water, first aid, medications, lighting and basic tools, including wire cutters. Depending on the nature of the emergency, you may not have access to your property for days.
Evacuation
If you plan to evacuate, evacuate as soon as possible.
You will need to assess the following:
- Where will you take your animal(s)? – have multiple options
- Who will be evacuating your animal(s)?
- What options of routes do you have?
- How suitable is your transport for the animal(s)?
- Will you require temporary cages?
When considering locations for evacuation, having multiple available locations is the best plan, as the emergency may also impact your first choice or the emergency itself may cut off access.
Shire Evacuation Centre
The Shire Communities Team implement evacuation centres in an emergency, including the capability to provide shelter for animals. The location of the evacuation point(s) will depend on the nature of the emergency and will be advised in the event of an emergency. The Shire has portable animal crates available at the evacuation centre, catering for cats, dogs and similar-sized companion animals.
Staying on your property
If it is not possible or practical to evacuate, having a safe place for your animal(s) to remain on your property during an emergency will require planning and preparation prior to an emergency, the area should:
- Be as large as possible
- Be free from hazards and flammable materials
- Have access to water
- Multiple access points
- Ensure fence lines are clear of vegetation and have firebreaks to limit damage by fire
Road closures and limited access
Access to your property may be prohibited due to significant threats, which can sometimes last days. If you have animals on your property and cannot gain access to them, contact Ranger Services at 9526 1111. Ranger Services, DFES and DPIRD may be able to assess the animals, provide water and food or, in some cases, evacuate the animals. Always follow directions from emergency services; illegally entering exclusion zones puts the emergency services and yourself at risk.
Having a checklist
The Department of Primary Industries and Reginal development (DPIRD) has excellent resources including a Plan for Animal Welfare in Emergencies(PAWE) checklist available for download here
Property maintenance
As part of your obligation as a property owner, your property must comply with the Firebreak Notice issued to owners each year. You should maintain a firebreak around your property that is free from flammable material, vegetation or obstacles and is trafficable for the Emergency Services to access to fight fires and use as an escape.
In an Emergency
- Follow direction from Emergency services
- Never cut fences to allow animals to roam free – this endangers the animals, Emergency Services and people evacuating.
- If you do not have a plan and required equipment to stay in an emergency – leave as soon as possible
- Do not rely on mains water – if staying and defending have alternate firefighting equipment
- Do not rely on mains power, ensure means of opening electric gates in an emergency
- Have all your animals easily identifiable – Brands, markings, tags and microchips
DFES Bushfire Warning System
Stay up to date on fire and other emergencies through www.emergency.wa.gov.au
DFES Fire Danger Rating System
DFES Have implemented a new Fire Danger Rating System. To view full information on the changes, Click Here.
Further Information
Contact the Shire Emergency Services Team on 9526 1111.