Fire Safety
Fire Breaks
The City of Cockburn requires that your fire breaks are cleared to bare earth or mineral to 3 metres wide and with no overhanging branches below 4 metres above the fire break. Think of a clear 3x4 metre rectangular tube running all around the perimeter of your property. You must keep your firebreak clear between 1 November and 15 April.
For that period, you must also keep the 3 metres around your house clear of dead vegetation. So do not store firewood or timber under your eaves!
You must light NO fires between 1 December and 31 March, or at other times as declared.
Between 1 April and 31 May and between 1 October and 30 November you need a Fire Permit to light a fire. You do not need a permit between 1 June and 30 September.
You can find the Fire Control Order in the booklet enclosed with your rates notice.
Asset Protection Zone (APZ)
All of Banjup is in a government declared Bushfire Prone Area (see https://maps.slip.wa.gov.au/landgate/bushfireprone/ ) . As such, it is essential for your safety to have a low-fuel area immediately surrounding your home and outbuildings. It should have minimal vegetation (mown lawns are good) and it should be free from combustible items (especially firewood) and obstructions.
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If correctly designed and maintained, an APZ can increase the likelihood that your building can be defended during a bushfire and that it will survive if left undefended.
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The picture below shows good practice. Native vegetation should be kept well away from buildings.
Irrigated garden plants and shrubs can be closer, as can deciduous trees. If in doubt, seek professional advice.
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More information is available at https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/hazard-information/bushfire
Burn Off with Jandakot Bush Fire Brigade
The Jandakot Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade can help Banjup residents safely burn large piles of logs and cuttings that might otherwise be hazardous for property owners to undertake by themselves.
The Brigade can also help residents burn off fuel across bush blocks.
Several Brigade members will bring light water tankers to your property and set fire to your unwanted vegetation in a safe and controlled manner. You can obtain a quotation for burning a bonfire or a whole block by contacting the Brigade Captain at secretary@jandakotvbfb.org.au
Prepare for a Bush Fire
Every property should have a bush fire plan and each person living there should be familiar with it.
The City of Cockburn and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services have comprehensive materials to help you prepare for a bush fire. You can access them here and here.
Drawing on residents' experience of the Banjup fire of 2014, here are some simple things you can do:
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Insure your house and contents fully
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Put family memorabilia in a fire safe
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Clear at least 10, if not 20, metres of vegetation from around your house
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Clean your gutters (even better, get gutter mesh installed from ~$50 per metre supplied and fitted)
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Have fire blankets ready in your house
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Agree an assembly point and an alternative with all members of your family (eg Bunnings car park, Gateway car park by Big W, Atwell Primary School)
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Decide what you will do with your pets and animals (see here for guidance)
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Identify where in your house you will shelter if you get caught in a fire (must have 2 exits!)
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Tell your neighbours about your fire plan
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Take heed of "Emergency Alerts" on your mobile phones (you are automatically registered)
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Shut all doors and windows well before the fire comes near
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Pack a bag with 3 days' change of clothes
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Fight only if you have the right equipment
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If you must stay, then have 3 days of water and food available (power will be off and Police won't let back in if you go to the shops!)
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Flee early!
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When you go, leave your gates open