Emergency preparedness

Bushfire preparedness

Over 90% of WA is bushfire prone. Developing a plan before bushfire season and regularly updating this is the first step in keeping you and your family safe.

As part of your plan, an emergency evacuation kit is essential and contains items for your family, pets and vulnerable family members. Always know where it’s kept and keep it accessible.

Ensure your evacuation plan is clear and you know safe places nearby to seek respite. Check that you: 

• scan important documents to a thumb drive or email them to yourself
• know what would happen if there is a power outage or phone services are not working
• make sure you and your family practice your evacuation plan regularly and allow for contingencies
• have your home and contents insurance is up to date.

Firebreaks and hazard reduction

Visit our fire prevention page for guidance on preparing your property by installing firebreaks.

Firebreaks are a legal requirement under the Bush Fires Act 1954 and minimise the spread or extension of bushfire and provides safe access for emergency vehicles to your property.

Always remove hazards from around your property, such as slashing any long, dry grass, clearing gutters, cutting overhanging branches.

Water supply during a bushfire

Mains water supply cannot be guaranteed during a bushfire. Fire damage and power cuts could result in a total loss of water for your property. If you choose to stay during a bushfire, independent water supply is essential.

That is, water supply of at least 20,000 litres along with a pump and generator to actively defend your property. Refer to bushfires and water supply (Water Corporation). 

Firewise landscaping 

If you live in a bushfire-prone area, creating a fire resilient landscape can help protect your home against the threat of bushfire.

A firewise garden is designed and maintained to reduce the risk of bushfire impact on your home and other buildings on your property.

Regardless of where you are located, or what type of garden you have, the following principles can help guide your firewise landscape design.

Landscape design principles

• Reduce availability and volume of fuel (including vegetation and combustible materials/objects). Move these away from your home/structures.
• Create deliberate breaks by installing zones using paths, driveways, access tracks, ponds, pool etc.
• Regular and planned maintenance is essential for achieving a successful firewise garden. Consider low-maintenance garden options with open spaces, lawn areas and plants that require less maintenance.
• Remove overhanging vegetation from your home/structures to reduce the potential for flame contact.
• Lower ember sources by the removal of fine fuels, seed pods, bark on tree trunks and rake leaves away from the base of trees.

Choosing firewise plants

Even though all plants may burn under the right conditions, there are some species that are more fire-retardant than others. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has developed a guide that includes flammability rating for plants that will assist in determining suitability and selection of firewise plants.

Follow a balanced approach

• Water conservation – install efficient irrigation, consider collecting rainwater and recycling greywater for an alternate water supply, use hydrozoning principles to group plants with similar water needs and use non-combustible wind breaks and shading to create cooler areas.
• Material selection – consider the use of locally sourced, repurposed and recycled low flammability materials. Avoid using timber-lined edging, raised timber or plastic garden beds that can easily burn. Use firewise, non-combustible mulch.
• Biodiversity – select native species with low-flammability characteristics that can also attract insects, birds and animals and provide a home for native bees.

Visit the Naragebup firewise garden

In 2023, the City collaborated with the Forever Project team and Naragebup - Rockingham Regional Environment Centre to install a firewise landscape for the local community. 

Visit the centre (open 10am – 3pm, Thursday to Sunday) and walk through the firewise garden to learn about the different fire resilient components. The site includes educational signage and information sheets to empower residents to create and install their own firewise landscapes as part of their bushfire preparedness.

Storms are the most common natural hazard in Australia.  In Western Australia (south of Geraldton) they are most likely to occur between May and October. Once the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issues a severe weather warning, DFES will provide storm alerts and updates through Emergency WA.

Take action to prepare for one using the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Storm Smart Guide.