PREPARE YOUR HOME AND PROPERTY

• If you live near bush land you need to prepare your property for the bushfire season. It is your responsibility to prepare, for the safety of you and your family and the safety of your neighbours. This includes homeowners, renters and absentee landowners/holiday homeowners.
• You can start by clearing a 20 metre circle of safety around your home, clearing it of all rubbish, long dry grass, bark and material that may catch fire.
• Install a stainless steel open weave mesh cover over your evaporative air conditioner and metal fly screens on your windows and vents to keep sparks and embers out.
• You should also have a bushfire survival plan that the whole family has practised and understands, as well as a bushfire kit.
• More information about how to prepare is available on the FESA website - www.fesa.wa.gov.au

STAY ALERT AND KNOW WHAT TO DO
Fires can threaten suddenly and without warning; people should be prepared to act without receiving any emergency warning:

• Stay alert on hot dry days when bushfires are possible, regularly going outside to check for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.
• Look and listen for information on radio, TV, the internet, the FESA website (www.fesa.wa.gov.au), the FESA information line (1300 657 209) and speak with neighbours.
• Have a bushfire survival plan and kit ready.
• Act decisively the moment you know there is danger. Do not 'wait and see' and do not wait for emergency personnel to knock on the door before taking action as this can be fatal.

UNDERSTAND BUSHFIRE WARNINGS
During a bushfire, emergency services will provide as much information as possible. There are three levels of warning. These change to reflect the increasing risk to life and the decreasing amount of time residents have until the fire arrives.

Advice: A fire has started but there is no immediate danger
Watch and Act: A fire is approaching and conditions are changing. People need to leave or prepare actively to defend to protect them and their family
Emergency Warning: People are in danger and need to take immediate action to survive as they will be impacted by fire

STATEALERT
StateAlert is an automated system that sends warnings to home phones and mobiles. All home phones, including silent numbers, are automatically registered to receive StateAlerts. Mobile phones are automatically registered to the customer address which may be different to where you live.

If you're not sure what address your mobile phone is registered to you should register. You also need to register if you want to receive alerts by email or for up to three additional addresses. To register for StateAlert go to www.statealert.wa.gov.au

StateAlert does not replace the need for people to look after their own safety by monitoring local conditions and taking preventative action where possible. There may be no warning for some incidents, such as where the fire is moving too quickly or starts close to homes.

TOTAL FIRE BANS
What can't I do during a Total Fire Ban (TFB)? Some of the activities include:

• No BBQs that use solid fuel or have an open flame, this includes woodfired pizza ovens
• No grinding, welding or other forms of 'hot works' are allowed unless you have an exemption
• No burning of leaves, rubbish or an incinerator
• No camp fires, no cooking outdoors
• No fireworks or hot air ballooning
• No activitiy that is likely to cause a fire
• For a full list of activities, visit www.fesa.wa.gov.a. The FESA website also features a new TFB mapping function which allows people to see which local government areas have been affected

A new 24 hour TFB Information Line is now publically available on 1800 709 355

REPORT SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOUR
If people have any information about a fire or suspect somebody of deliberately lighting fires, they should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Ongoing vigilance by the community in reporting suspicious behaviour and arson will help minimise the likelihood of bushfire.

More information is available at the FESA website: www.fesa.wa.gov.au

Helpful Documents

Factsheet Fire Danger Ratings.pdf
Factsheet Fire Warnings.pdf