Burning Restrictions & Bans
Lighting fires on your property can be extremely dangerous. Prohibited dates are set according to seasonal conditions and are adjusted when required.
Further information on criteria and conditions can be found here.
The Urban-Rural Zone will commence Unrestricted Burning (Open Burning) as of Saturday, 26 April 2025.
Landowner/Occupiers within the Urban-Rural zone do not require a permit to burn. However, all burns must still comply with the following minimum conditions:
- A firebreak of at least 3 metres wide must be in place around the burn area; and
- You must have either a hose connected to a reliable water supply that reaches the burn area or a functional firefighting unit with a minimum of 400 litres of water; and
- Weather conditions must be carefully monitored to ensure that smoke does not impact road visibility or cause a nuisance to neighbours; and,
- Neighbours directly adjacent to the property must be notified prior to ignition; and,
- All burns must be registered with the DFES Communication Centre on 1800 198 140 (Free call) before ignition.
Landowner/occupiers are reminded not to light any fire, unless you are fully prepared to take responsibility for it. Landowner/occupiers are responsible for any fire on their property until it's fully extinguished, this includes the smoke that may impact the visibility of road networks.
Fire Control Officers have the authority under Bush Fires Act 1954 to instruct request Landowner/occupiers to extinguish any fire deemed unsafe, at the risk of escaping, or to stop the lighting of fire during the unrestricted burning period.
This notice is dated 24 April 2025.
Read the Pubic Notice here.
The Rural Zone is in an Unrestricted Burning (open season)
Landowner/occupiers are reminded not light any fire, if you are not prepared to be responsible for it. Read the Public Notice here.
FAQ's
What outdoor cooking can we do during Prohibited Burning Time?
Gas and electric barbeques - Permitted at any time (including Total Fire Ban day)
Solid fuel barbecues, spit roasts, webers, pizza ovens and other cooking fires - Are permitted when Fire Danger Rating is Moderate & can only be used in a camp site that is sign posted noting the use.
However, this form of cooking is prohibited when Fire Danger Rating is High or above. It is also prohibited in National Parks and on a Total Fire Ban day.
What outdoor cooking can we do during Prohibited Burning Time?
What about burning of garden refuse or rubbish during Prohibited Burning Time? This is prohibited at all times (inc. incinerators and on the ground).
Thank you for doing your part in keeping our community safe.
Not Sure which Zone you're in? See the Zone Map.
Zone Map
Sign up here to receive regular Bushfire and Harvest Ban SMS updates.
Current Bans
To keep up to date with current bans please check the Shire Facebook Page.
Burning Periods
Burning periods can alter without notice. If you are unsure, please contact us to see if you are allowed to burn.
- Rural Zone: 13 November to 31 January
- Urban Rural Zone: 13 November to 9 March
No fires are to be lit in the open air during this time.
- Rural Zone: 18 September to 12 November and 1 February to 31 March
- Urban Rural Zone: 18 September to 12 November and 10 March to 30 April
A permit is required to burn during these times. Permit Issuing Contacts can be found here.
- Rural Zone: 1 April to 17 September
- Urban Rural Zone: 1 May to 17 September
Fires can be lit without a permit.
Prior to burning to check incoming weather conditions.
Please provide notice to your surrounding neighbours
Contact DFES Communication Centre to register their burn Ph: 1800 198 140 (free call).
Harvest Bans
Harvest and Vehicle Movement Bans are put in place by the Shire of Esperance under the Bushfires Act 1954. A ban is put in place to restrict activities that are likely to cause or contribute to the spread of a bushfire.
Sometimes only certain zones may be put into a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban. If you are not sure which zone you belong to you can click here to find out.
To find out if a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban is in place:
- Contact the Shire during business hours on (08) 9071 0666
- Call the Harvest and Vehicle Ban hotline on (08) 9071 5367
- Listen to ABC radio
- Register for the Shires SMS notification system with the Harvest Ban SMS Notification Form
It is the responsibility of an individual to determine if a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban is in place before carrying out an activity.
Total Fire Bans
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) are responsible for the placing of a Total Fire Ban on any area.
"During a Total Fire Ban you are not allowed to light, maintain or use a fire in the open air, or carry out any activity in the open air that causes, or is likely to cause, a fire."
Information about what a Total Fire Ban means and how it affects you can be found on the DFES website Bushfire Fact Sheet Total Fire Ban. Additional assistance is provided in the form of a Frequently Asked Questions page.
Please follow the links for information on:
Not sure which Zone you are in? See the Zone Map
Contact your local Bush Fire Brigade (non emergency calls only)
Fire Permit Issuing Officers
A Guide to Constructing and Maintaining Firebreaks
2024/2025 Fire Hazard Reduction Notice
Fire Hazard Reduction Notice - Definition Guidance Notice
Application for Variation to Firebreak
Firebreak Contractors for firebreak installation and maintenance
Sign up to receive regular Bushfire and Harvest Ban SMS updates
Fire Season Information