Published on Tuesday, 1 September 2026 at 1:00:00 PM
The Shire issues a Fire Hazard Reduction Notice each year under Section 33 of the Bush Fires Act 1954. The Notice explains what property owners and occupiers must do to prepare their land for the bushfire season. Requirements vary depending on the property, so it is important to check the current Notice before starting work.
Required work must be completed by 9 October 2026 and maintained until 31 March 2027.
The Fire Hazard Reduction Notice also includes important information on applying for a variation, which must be done in writing before 24 September, how to arrange a property visit with a Ranger before the compliance period, regulated activities, Total Fire Bans, important dates to remember, and more. Further guidance on bushfire preparation may be found on the Shire’s Bushfire Information webpage. Make sure you click through to see all four pages of the 2026/2027 Fire Hazard Reduction Notice if viewing it on this page, by hovering your cursor over the bottom left of the Notice.
A vital part of bushfire readiness is well-prepared firebreaks - these save lives, protect property and help our volunteer firefighters work effectively and go home safely.
As the bushfire season approaches, now is a great time for all landholders and occupiers to check properties. Make sure firebreaks are clear, easy to access and ready for summer. Look for other fire hazards too, such as long dry grass, dead vegetation and branches overhanging homes, sheds or tracks.
Well-maintained firebreaks help reduce fuel loads, slow the spread of bushfires and provide critical access for emergency services when every minute counts. They play an important role in protecting homes, farms, livestock, infrastructure and the broader community.
Schools and other community facilities such as volunteer organisations with physical premises also need to prepare for the bushfire season. Like other landholders and occupiers, they should check the requirements for their property and complete any work that applies. This helps protect everyone on the premises and keeps access clear for emergency vehicles.
The Shire also manages a large network of reserves and public land across the district. This land is inspected and schedules for bushfire mitigation work are drawn up, based on risk and operational priorities.
Community members can help by reporting fire hazards, or firebreaks on Shire-managed land that may need attention. Please include the location and photographs if possible. This helps the Shire find the area, assess the risk and send the report to the right team. Reports can be made by emailing shire@esperance.wa.gov.au or calling (08) 9071 0666.
By taking the time to inspect and maintain your firebreaks now, you're helping to protect your property, your neighbours and the wider community. Working together, we can reduce bushfire risk and help keep our community safe this fire season.
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