Burn-offs now permitted, but exercise caution and vigilance: Shire of Augusta-Margaret River bushfire chief

The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River has asked residents to take serious precautions when conducting private burn-offs despite the arrival of wet weather. With the restricted burning period ending last weekend, property owners are now entitled to undertake their own fuel reduction burns. Chief bushfire control officer David Holland said planned burn-offs decreased the risk of future bushfires by eliminating leaf litter, fallen branches or dead grass and shrubs. However, he said planned burns should be undertaken in mild and stable weather to ensure they did not get out of control. “Planned burns are a valuable tool to assist landowners in reducing the amount of flammable material on their property which can limit how quickly a bushfire might spread,” Mr Holland said. “But any planned burning needs to be conducted under the right conditions, because at the end of the day you’re playing with fire. “Burning when it is windy or when things have dried out can be dangerous and can lead to an out-of-control fire. “Plan to do your burn no more than 10 days since it last rained and in mild weather conditions, which means if strong winds are forecast you shouldn’t be lighting a fire.” The Shire extended its prohibited burning season an unprecedented four times during the summer and autumn amid concern about lack of rainfall and dry bush. Anyone facing an escaped burn is advised to call 000.