Burning Restrictions & Bans
Lighting fires on your property comes with serious responsibility and risks. Fire restrictions and bans are in place to protect our community, farmland, and environment. These rules change throughout the year depending on seasonal conditions.
It’s your responsibility to know the rules before you light a fire. Further information on criteria and conditions can be found here.
Burning Time Public Notice
Urban Rural Zone
The Urban Rural Zone is in an Unrestricted Burning Time. No permit is needed. However, all burns must comply with the following basic 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 (08) 9395 9209 (Free call) before ignition.
Rural Zones
The Rural Zones are in an Unrestricted Burning Time. No permit is needed.
Landowners/Occupiers are reminded not to light any fire unless they are fully prepared to take responsibility for it.
Landowners/Occupiers are responsible for any fire on their property until it's fully extinguished, including smoke that may affect the visibility of road networks.
Fire Control Officers have the authority under Bush Fires Act 1954 to instruct the 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.
Burning Times
Burning periods can change without notice. If you are unsure, please contact us to see if you are allowed to burn.
Check which zone you’re in using the Sub-Zone Map
Cooking Outdoors During Fire Restrictions
Allowed anytime: Gas and electric barbeques (including Total Fire Ban).
Allowed when Fire Danger Rating is Moderate: Solid fuel barbecues, spit roasts, webers, pizza ovens and other cooking fires - only in signposted campsites.
Not allowed: When Fire Danger Rating is High or above, in National Parks, on Total Fire Ban days.
Burning Garden Waste
Not allowed: Burning garden refuse or rubbish (including incinerators) is not allowed during Prohibited Burning Times.
Harvest & Vehicle Movement Ban
The Shire can put in place a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban under the Bushfires Act 1954.
This reduces farming and vehicle activities that could spark a fire.
Sometimes, only certain zones may be put into a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban. If you're unsure which Sub-Zone you belong to, click here to find out.
Stay informed:
- Call the Shire: (08) 9071 0666 (business hours)
- Harvest and Vehicle Ban hotline: (08) 9071 5367
- Listen to local ABC radio
- Sign up for SMS Notifications: complete this online form.
👉 It is your responsibility to check if a ban is in place before carrying out work.
And remember, there is a Harvest & Vehicle Movement Ban across the whole Shire of Esperance on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day every year.
Total Fire Bans
Total Fire Bans are declared by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
During a Total Fire Ban, you cannot:
- light, maintain or use a fire in the open air.
- carry out any activity that could start a fire.
Here are some helpful DFES links:
Keep Informed:
Zone Map - Find your Sub-Zone
Contact your local Bush Fire Brigade (non emergency calls only)
Fire Permit Issuing Officers
Guide to Constructing and Maintaining Firebreaks
Fire Hazard Reduction - Definition Guidance Notice
Firebreak Variation Information for Applicant Fact Sheet
Application for Variation to Firebreak
Firebreak Contractors (firebreak installation and maintenance)
Sign up for Bushfire and Harvest Ban SMS updates
Burning Restrictions & Fire Bans